Lilly’s DiMarchi to join IU faculty as Gill chair in biomolecular science

His most recent responsibilities were associated with Lilly’s investments in research technologies and product development. He has been an advocate of the integration of advanced chemical and biological technologies, including genomics, proteomics, high-throughput screening and combinatorial chemistry and has also played a key role in advancing pharmaceutical sciences, in particular, the field of biopharmaceutics and alternative drug delivery. In recent years, DiMarchi has led Lilly’s re-engineering of product development and project management.

“Richard’s understanding of structure-activity relationships at the chemical and biomedical interface and his extensive leadership experience make him a tremendous addition to our faculty,” said David Clemmer, chairman of the IUB Department of Chemistry. “He also brings a rare understanding of how to blend research areas across what have been traditional barriers between industry and the academy. We are very pleased to have Richard join our faculty.”

DiMarchi has played an important role regarding Lilly’s bioproducts, including the molecular design of Humalog. In 1998, the American Chemical Society recognized the seminal importance of this discovery through their Innovation Award. Humalog represented the first biosynthetic hormone optimized by rDNA technology approved as a human medicine.

He serves on the boards of directors for IU’s Advanced Research and Technology Institute and the Biotechnology Industry Organization.