As always, Happy Friday. May your favorite race car driver do well (and stay safe) in Sunday's Indianapolis 500. And here's hoping they don't need their windshield wipers!

Earlier this week, Lilly announced an agreement with two private investors to establish BioCritica, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company based in Central Indiana. BioCritica intends to eventually create a broad portfolio of innovative, hospital-based medicines, but for now will focus on the development and commercialization of Xigris - Lilly's medicine for severe sepsis - in the United States.

The agreement is good news for all involved - especially those pulling for more innovation. The new arrangement is expected to create more than 70 high-paying in Central Indiana and will put some strong brain power behind the development of important critical care needs for patients. You can read more about BioCritica on its website.

The agreement was supported by BioCrossroads, the organization behind much of Indiana's growing life sciences community. Mitch Roob, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, said the state's business climate - friendly toward the life sciences and other industries - helped make it all happen.

"Indiana's consistently strong growth in the life sciences sector is evidence that not only do we have the talent to power some of the world's top biotechnology companies, but we also have an environment welcoming to the kind of noticeable impact companies like BioCritica and others will have on our state's economy and the quality of life of citizens everywhere."

Here's hoping for strong growth by BioCritica over the next few years. Its success will be passed along to patients in need.