The 14th Annual Watanabe Symposium in Chemical Biology
Indiana University Bloomington | Sat., April 12, 2025
Refreshments Provided | Available Watanabe Event Parking
Click here for the 2024 itinerary
The Watanabe Symposium honors the late August “Gus” Watanabe, a renowned physician, researcher and professor who led research and development at Eli Lilly and Company for nearly a decade, and who was a pioneer in the study of the cellular mechanics of the heart. In 1994, Watanabe assumed the role as President of Lilly Research Laboratories and is responsible for launching eleven new and pivotal pharmaceutical products.
Invited speakers this year:
- Anish Konkar, AstraZeneca
- Tania Lupoli, New York University
- Lara Mahal, University of Alberta
- Brad Moore, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
August M. Watanabe
Dr. August M. Watanabe was a renowned physician, researcher, professor, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. He was the founding Chairman of BioCrossroads, and developed the initial strategic plan that established the organization. Dr. Watanabe was Executive Vice President of Science and Technology and a member of the Board of Directors at Eli Lilly and Company from 1996 to 2003. He joined Lilly in 1990, and became President of Lilly Research Laboratories in 1994. Under his leadership, Lilly launched 11 important new pharmaceutical products. Prior to joining Lilly, Dr. Watanabe was a full-time faculty member of the Department of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine from 1971 to 1990. In 1978, he became the youngest Professor of Medicine at the university, and from 1983 to 1990, he was the Chairman of the Department of Medicine. Dr. Watanabe served as co-founder of Marcadia Biotech, partner in Twilight Venture Partners, and a director of Ambrx, Endocyte, QuatRx, and Kalypsys. He was also a senior advisor to Frazier Healthcare Ventures. He also remained active in the community, serving as a director of the Indiana University Foundation, the Regenstrief Foundation, Christel House International, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. During his academic and research career, Watanabe co-authored more than 100 scientific publications and book chapters and served on the editorial boards of scholarly journals and as an officer in several national academic organizations, including the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. Dr. Watanabe received his B.S. from Wheaton College and his MD from the Indiana University School of Medicine.
