The region's lack of pilot and commercial-scale biomanufacturing infrastructure mirrors the national challenges highlighted in the White House’s recent Bold Goals for US Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing report. This gap often leads to intellectual property (IP) either being shelved or moving overseas where biomanufacturing is more accessible and affordable. BioLaunch aims to tackle this issue through two key programs:
- BioLaunch Start-Up Academy
The Start-Up Academy will create a formal network offering resources, mentorship, and funding to help innovators successfully scale and launch their bioproducts within the region.
- BioResource Coordination and Access Network (BioCAN)
BioCAN will connect the region’s strong contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) with US innovators. While big corporations have no problems getting clinical trial-scale production made, startups and individual innovators need a real manufacturer to help, but that is cost-prohibitive unless they go to another country. CDMOs offer services for drug development, formulation, and packaging that are critical for bringing products to market. To address this gap between manufacturing needs and adequate funding, BioCAN will provide grants to help innovators access these resources.
By leveraging this networked approach, BioLaunch will drive biotech innovation, support startups and established companies in Indiana and beyond, and boost US production of next-gen bioproducts—creating a hub where cutting-edge bioproducts are developed, made, and distributed domestically.