Pharmacy Automation Company to Open HQ in Indy
Marvin Richardson is the CEO of iA. (photo courtesy of WISH-TV)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA New York-based pharmacy automation solutions company has announced plans to open its new global headquarters in Indianapolis. iA, which has created a software-enabled pharmacy fulfillment platform, says it will make a “significant investment” to lease, renovate and equip space on the city’s north side and create 420 jobs by the end of 2023. Chief Executive Officer Marvin Richardson says, among other benefits, Indianapolis allows iA to be closer to its customers.
During a news conference Tuesday morning, Richardson says the company chose Indiana for three key reasons.
“It is very, as we all know, a low-tax, pro-business environment. That was very important to us,” said Richardson. “Second is there is a long history here with biopharma and biopharma logistics and that’s the business we’re in and it made a lot of sense to do that. Third, and probably most importantly, is an extraordinarily diverse talent pool here in the state.”
iA has developed software that drives pharmacy fulfillment centers. Richardson says the platform allows pharmacists more time for patient care including COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, decreases the cost of filling prescriptions, and improving quality and safety of prescriptions.
Richardson says iA’s software platform has been installed in 1,500 locations around the world and the company “will be responsible for filling on our software 777 million prescriptions as of May 1st.”
The company has also developed automated modular hardware used in pharmacy fulfillment centers that Richardson says can fill between 275 and 325 prescriptions per hour.
iA currently employs 400 people, mostly in New York. The company is hiring in Indianapolis for a variety of positions, including pharmacy, software development, software engineering, and product management.
“We are committed to hiring a diverse, Indiana-based team with a focus on continuing development and innovation across our suite of pharmacy fulfillment solutions,” Richardson said in a news release. “Indiana provides iA with a great opportunity to find top talent across pharmacy, software development and engineering. This is a great location for us to continue to grow and hire the top talent we need to expand iA’s commitment to being a partner to the pharmacy industry.”
iA will occupy the 15th floor of an office building at Keystone at the Crossing in Indy and expects the new headquarters to be operational in April. The company plans to maintain its national office in Johnson City, New York, where it was founded.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered iA up to $8 million in conditional tax credits, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs.