Indiana University (IU) has secured architectural design approval for its IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB), marking a significant step in its mission to position Indiana as a global leader in bioscience innovation. The IU Board of Trustees greenlit the plan for the facility, set to be located in the 16 Tech Innovation District.
The five-story, 150,000-square-foot building will stand adjacent to the Herron School of Art and Design’s Eskenazi Fine Arts Center on Indiana Avenue. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to foster discovery, innovation and collaboration between academia and industry. IU LAB will house research and teaching labs, classrooms, startup and incubator space and industry studios — all aimed at advancing Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem.
“This facility represents a convergence of biosciences and technology,” IU officials stated. “It will redefine what’s possible, accelerating commercialization, catalyzing industry partnerships and retaining bioscience talent in Indiana.”
The building’s design emphasizes adaptability, with a supersized ground floor and modular layouts that can be reconfigured as scientific advancements and new opportunities emerge. Its aesthetic incorporates limestone accents, brick and transparent glass with warm-toned metal panels to blend IU Indianapolis’ architectural identity with the historic character of Indiana Avenue.
Additional features include a paver plaza, monumental seat wall, and open event spaces. Construction is slated to begin in fall 2025, with completion expected by summer 2027.
While the building is under construction, IU LAB is launching programming this July at 16 Tech, underscoring the university’s commitment to immediate progress.
For more information, visit news.iu.edu.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
 has secured architectural design approval for its IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB)){kind=link}