Purdue, Purdue Research Foundation mark transformative year of growth, industry partnership

Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) will close 2025 with a surge of momentum that will define the future of critical industries such as national defense, digital innovation, health care and next‑generation manufacturing, as Discovery Park District at Purdue and Purdue Research Park continue to emerge as nationally significant engines of innovation, investment and industry collaboration.

Complementing the research park’s advances in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the year also brought about partnerships in health care and hospitality — a new inpatient hospital and a historic barn reimagined as a farm-to-table restaurant are both creating pathways for workforce development in their respective fields.

Together, these milestones strengthened the university’s role as a catalyst for talent, technology and opportunity.

“This year’s achievements reflect Purdue’s growing national leadership at the intersection of research, industry and real‑world impact,” said Purdue President Mung Chiang. “The partnerships and investments taking shape across Discovery Park District at Purdue and Purdue Research Park are more than individual wins — they represent a shared commitment to strengthening America’s innovation capacity, expanding opportunities for our students and faculty, and driving economic growth for Indiana and the nation.”

These accomplishments reflect a coordinated strategy to attract world‑class partners; strengthen Purdue’s innovation ecosystem; and create new opportunities for students, faculty and industry alike.

Highlights from the year include:

MediaTek opens new chip design center
In early December, MediaTek Inc., a leading global fabless chipmaker, celebrated the opening of its chip design center in the Herman and Heddy Kurz Purdue Technology Center. Plans for the semiconductor company to open its first design center in the Midwest were first announced in 2022.

Kurz Purdue Technology Center
KPTC serves as an incubator for technology-focused companies, including SK hynix, which recently opened an office at the tech center located within Purdue Research Park. The South Korea-based semiconductor chipmaker announced plans to open a $4 billion chip packaging facility at Purdue.

Saab, Boeing and Purdue deliver first trainer jet
October marked a big milestone in aerospace innovation, as executives from Saab and Boeing gathered at Purdue University Airport at Discovery Park District to celebrate their partnership in building and delivering the T-7A Red Hawk, an advanced trainer aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. Delivery of the jet took place in December.

Purdue launches Low Institute for Therapeutics
In April, Purdue and PRF announced the creation of the Low Institute for Therapeutics (LIFT), honoring noted researcher Philip Low, Purdue’s Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery, the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, and a faculty member in the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. LIFT will work toward accelerating lifesaving therapeutics from the lab and into the world by funding necessary early-stage trials in partnership with Purdue and PRF. LIFT’s focus on advancing clinical studies of innovative medicines designed to treat a wide range of diseases aligns with Purdue’s One Health initiative and its commitment to solving interconnected human, animal and plant health challenges with real‑world impact.

Rolls‑Royce set to open new innovation facility at Purdue
Rolls-Royce’s high-altitude test building and air facility is nearing completion at Discovery Park District, advancing the 20-year partnership between Purdue, PRF, and the global power systems and jet engine manufacturer. With testing to begin in 2026, the facility will allow the company to develop high-altitude and hybrid-electric engines to power the next generation of U.S. military aircraft in extreme environments.

New housing for nearly 1,000 students celebrated at Discovery Park District at Purdue
With the start of the fall semester, PRF and Purdue hosted a ribbon cutting at 3rd & West. The 984-bed, 325,000-square-foot complex is designed to elevate the on-campus residential experience.

Parkview Health to build 40‑bed hospital at Purdue Research Park
In July, Parkview Health announced plans to an inpatient hospital with up to 40 beds in the Purdue Research Park, including a 24/7 emergency department, surgical and specialty care, and outpatient diagnostics. Many of the primary and specialty care offices are expected to be available prior to the full hospital opening in 2028.

Historic Beck Barn becomes The Lawrence restaurant
Construction is nearing completion on The Lawrence, a farm-to-table restaurant and retail and event space located inside a reimagined wooden barn donated by Sonny Beck, Purdue Board of Trustees member and CEO of Beck’s Hybrids, and the Beck family of Atlanta, Indiana. The multifaceted restaurant, located in Discovery Park District, will be operated by the Cunningham Restaurant Group. The restaurant is scheduled to open in early 2026.