Outsourcing to the new 22,000 sq ft laboratory in Purdue Research Park, Indianapolis, Indiana, US allows Lilly to cutback in-house drug discovery bioanalytical capabilities.
For Advion, the multi-year deal ensures work for its new laboratory and strengthens ties to an existing client. “Our company’s consistent growth and success has been the direct result of close customer partnerships”, said David Patteson, president and CEO of Advion.
Locating its new laboratory in Indianapolis, near to the Lilly headquarters, will help forge a closer relationship with the big pharma. Hiring former Lilly employees could also strengthen ties.
A total of 26 Lilly employees are affected by the outsourcing deal, Amy Boardman, an Advion spokesperson, told Outsourcing-Pharma. Each can apply for one of the 49 positions Advion is creating at the new Indianapolis laboratory or another position at Lilly.
Expansion into the state was supported by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) which streamlined many steps in setting up the laboratory. BioCrossroads, an Indiana investment initiative, also provided assistance.
Service expansion
Opening the laboratory expands the portfolio of early-stage services offered by Advion. Adding drug absorption and metabolism services will support clients looking to generate data to progress molecules into clinical trials.
After a molecule progresses into clinical trials Advion can support development from its site in Ithaca, New York. The Ithaca site provides late-stage bioanalytical services to support regulatory filings.
Other clients
Expanding service capabilities supports the deal with Lilly but is also intended to attract other clients. Boardman was unable to say the proportion of capacity accounted for by the Lilly deal but adding other clients is part of the long-term strategy.
“We are very pleased with the prospect of offering these services to our other clients, and see this as a significant opportunity to further grow this business and expand the size of our Indianapolis operation in the future”, said Tom Kurz, President of Advion.