Eli Lilly Invests $250 Million to Strengthen Ties with Purdue University

Eli Lilly is deepening its investment in Indiana by committing up to $250 million over the next eight years to expand its existing collaboration with Purdue University.
According to a press release, the enhanced agreement with the Boilermakers will focus on artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery, accelerating clinical trial processes, expediting regulatory approval and manufacturing, and strengthening Indiana’s life sciences workforce.
As part of the partnership, Purdue researchers will be given workspace on the university’s West Lafayette campus, while also collaborating with Lilly scientists at the company’s facilities in Indianapolis and Lebanon, Indiana.
The primary goal of the collaboration is to deliver medicines to patients more quickly, integrate emerging science into clinical trials, build a more resilient pharmaceutical supply chain, and boost Indiana’s local economy, according to both partners.

Lilly CEO David Ricks stated in the release: “Accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines requires an exceptional talent force and innovation at every step—from discovery through process development and manufacturing. This expanded work with Purdue is exciting, as we aim to leverage both secure advanced technologies and cutting-edge science to lead in the development of next-generation medicines that improve human health.”
Ricks, who earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Purdue in 1990, has served on the university’s board of trustees since January 2025.
Lilly and Purdue first launched a $52 million, five-year research and development agreement in 2017, which was extended in 2022 with an additional $50 million. That partnership will now be extended through 2032, along with other ongoing joint efforts such as the Lilly Scholars program at Purdue and the Lilly and Purdue Research Alliance Center.

In January, the long-time collaborators also launched the Young Institute Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Consortium, which aims to pioneer new drug production techniques using advanced technologies such as autonomous systems and artificial intelligence.