Eli Lilly and Company announced its collaboration with Indiana academic, industry and governmental organizations in the establishment of a Center of Excellence in the Protein Sciences called the Indiana Centers for Applied Protein Sciences (INCAPS). INCAPS comprises multiple components that will provide technology validation, protein analysis services, instrumentation, and technical support for both academic and industry investigators in Indiana.

The mission of the centre is to provide the best prototype and commercially available proteomics tools and methods as a service offering. Lilly will contribute $3,200,000 in a combination of participation fees, executive support, instrument training and the prepayment for services to be provided by the centre to Lilly in the years 2004-2006. Dr James Ludwig, head of proteomics programmes at Lilly, will lead the centre as founding CEO.

"Lilly welcomes the opportunity to support the growth of Indiana's life sciences industry by making both academic and industrial researchers more competitive in the global marketplace," said Ludwig. "Providing access to state-of-the-art technologies through a centre that will one day support itself demonstrates our commitment to advancing research. We are enthusiastic about this centre's ability to encourage economic growth in Indiana and accelerate the search for answers that matter."