Indiana is a global leader in life sciences innovation, and its manufacturing sector is one of the state’s most important economic drivers. With more than 41,000 workers and a $22.9 billion contribution to GDP, life sciences manufacturing is shaping both Indiana’s economy and the health of communities worldwide.
From pharmaceuticals and medical devices to agricultural life sciences, this diverse sector combines a strong legacy of expertise with rapid growth fueled by new investment and digital transformation.
Innovation Meets Production
According to Future Ready: Advancing Indiana’s Productivity through Critical Manufacturing Subsectors, life sciences stands out with 21% of its workforce in tech-enabled roles—well above the industry average. Investments in biomanufacturing and clean energy are driving the need for highly skilled workers who can adapt to increasingly digital, process-intensive operations.
Workforce Needs
The Future Ready analysis identifies two sets of roles as essential for the sector’s continued growth:
- Most critical roles: process engineers, life scientists, analytical chemists, software engineers and data scientists, who are advancing biotechnology, digital twin technology and cleanroom operations
- Critical roles: production technicians, chemical operators and QA/QC specialists, who ensure daily operations run smoothly and safely
Together, these roles illustrate the sector’s dual focus: maintaining a strong foundation of production talent while accelerating its capacity for innovation.
Strategic Investments
Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem benefits from both established global players and emerging innovators. Recent investments in biomanufacturing facilities, clean energy and digital transformation are positioning Indiana at the forefront of medical and bioscience production.
As Vince Wong, president and CEO of BioCrossroads, noted, “The opportunities are here, and they keep coming. To stay strong for the long term we need to build capacity by supporting new startups, increase our manufacturing footprint and take a proactive role in cultivating talent.”
This perspective underscores the importance of coupling investment with intentional workforce development to ensure Indiana remains a global leader in life sciences manufacturing.
The Opportunity
Life sciences manufacturing in Indiana is both healthy and growing, with new opportunities in biomanufacturing, automation and digital innovation. To sustain this trajectory, the state must continue to invest in specialized workforce training and ensure that tomorrow’s talent is prepared for the next generation of life sciences breakthroughs.
View the full Future Ready report to explore the data, trends and workforce strategies shaping Indiana’s aerospace manufacturing sector and how your organization can be part of this momentum.