Innovation in Action: Highlights from the 2024 Eli Lilly and Company Grand Challenge
The 2024 Eli Lilly and Company Grand Challenge has wrapped up, and it’s been an exciting opportunity to spotlight innovation in genetic medicine and neuroscience. Hosted at Lilly’s Indianapolis headquarters, this year’s event brought together early-stage biotech teams, industry leaders, and Lilly’s scientific experts for two days of presentations, networking, and collaboration
This year’s Grand Challenge built on the foundations laid in 2023, thanks to Eli Lilly’s continued sponsorship of Nucleate. Through its Activator Program, Nucleate has supported hundreds of biotech startups, offering mentorship and funding to help early-stage teams tackle key challenges in areas like neurodegeneration, psychiatry, and regenerative medicine. Lilly’s commitment to this effort includes $300,000 in non-dilutive grants over three years, demonstrating their ongoing support for early innovation.
Highlights from the Event
The 2024 challenge featured impressive contributions from all participants, including:
- Winner: TherNA Inc., led by Jack Stahl
- Finalists: ProNeurogen Inc., Core Biotherapeutics Inc., and Procure Bio.
Other participating teams included:
- Junipero Therapeutics
- Ciznor
- HarborSite
- Ilios Therapeutics
- Stacks Therapeutics
- ELSA Neuroscience
All teams demonstrated a remarkable dedication to advancing patient care, and several are projected to spin out into startups by early 2025.
The People Behind the Event
The success of this event was made possible by the collaboration of many individuals, including Eli Lilly leaders and Nucleate headquarters team members. Key contributors from Lilly included:
- Leadership Team: Andrew Adams, Antonieta Salguero, Brian Zhou, Christalyn Rhodes, Hallee Foster, Jenny Laird, Jonathan McClain, Julie Gilmore, Katie Hewitt, Kathleen Lin, Lance Pfeifer, Lisa Broad, Ryan Leenay, Matt Von Zirkelback, Shea McMurtry, Tim Luker, Tom Marron, Vanessa Barth.
The event also benefited from the efforts of Nucleate HQ members: Oliver Dodd, Maisam Jafri, Julia Nanyi Zhao, PhD, Layla Starr, Dante Dennis Acenas II, April Xing, Alicia Van Enoo, Isabella Altilio, Hannah Dayton PhD, Onkar Date, and Samantha Sison, PhD.
Fostering Collaboration and Progress
Beyond the competition, the Grand Challenge emphasized community and connection. Activities like the Lilly campus tour and networking sessions helped foster meaningful conversations between early-stage teams and industry experts. Presentations by Andrew Adams and Christalyn Rhodes provided insights into Lilly’s ongoing work in genetic medicine, while roundtable discussions and a poster session offered platforms for idea exchange.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on this year’s event, it’s clear that the Grand Challenge is about more than just funding — it’s about enabling teams to take critical steps forward in their journey. With Lilly’s support, these startups are better positioned to translate their ideas into tangible advances in healthcare.
We’re looking forward to seeing what comes next for these talented teams and are grateful to everyone who contributed to making the 2024 Grand Challenge a success.
About Nucleate
Nucleate is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of biotech leaders. With chapters spanning 41 geographic regions and participation from over 280 academic institutions, Nucleate sparks new intellectual communities and embeds emerging talent within a global biotech community. Through open-access educational programming, Nucleate helps democratize biotech innovation — removing barriers and helping founders concentrate on building transformational technologies.
Nucleate’s programs are made possible thanks to our generous HQ sponsors:
- Platinum: Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, Pillar VC, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, BlueYard Capital, MilliporeSigma.
- Gold: Excedr.
- Silver: Biocom California, Breakout Ventures, Schrödinger, Cromatic, Sanofi, PHCbi, Molecule.
- Philanthropic: Schmidt Futures, Lyda Hill Philanthropies.
Visit www.nucleate.org for more information, and email contact@nucleate.org if you want to get involved with our programming.
