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Indiana researchers are in line to receive up to $160 million over the next decade to study musculoskeletal health conditions, an Indiana University-led coalition announced July 14.
The IU coalition of more than 170 industry, clinical, workforce, government and research partners was selected as part of the second cohort of a U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines, a competitive program meant to move research at a faster pace by integrating universities, industry and research operations.
As a result of the program, Indiana will build a "regional ecosystem" to address conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis and acute and interventional needs such as bone fractures, according to an IU news release.
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Over the first two years, the Indiana program will receive $15 million, with the potential in the future for as much as $160 if the Foundation grades the initiative well.
The Indiana Musculoskeletal Health Partnership for the Advancement of Care & Treatment (IMPACT) already connects leading researchers and innovators in the state to improve health outcomes in the area, but the coalition will advance new treatments.
Nearly half of Americans suffer from a musculoskeletal health condition, according to the United States Bone and Joint Initiative.
“Through the NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana, we’re bringing together research, clinical care and industry to accelerate musculoskeletal innovation,” Pamela Whitten, president of Indiana University, said in a news release. “Indiana is simply unrivaled in the strengths needed to quickly turn musculoskeletal breakthroughs into new technologies, new companies and high-quality jobs. And most importantly, that means these new, innovative treatments will reach the patients who need them most.”
The coalition wants to train more than 1,900 workers, launch more than 85 startups and bring at least 30 innovations to market, according to the release.
Participating partners in the project include Eli Lilly, Zimmer Biomet, BioCrossroads, OrthoWorx, IU Health, Regenstrief Institute, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame.
Alysa Guffey writes business and development stories for IndyStar. Contact her [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana researchers land up to $160M to address musculoskeletal health
