Virginia Biotechnology Association

News

UVa Launches Crowdfunding Site to Advance Research Projects

U.Va. Innovation launched the University of Virginia’s first crowdfunding website this week, enabling alumni and others to make targeted, tax-deductible donations in support of specific research and development projects under way at the University.  The site, accessible at read more ».

VBHRC Selects VABIO Chair Mike Grisham as President and CEO

The Board of Directors of the Virginia Biosciences Health Research Corporation (VBHRC) today announced that it has selected Michael Grisham as VBHRC President and CEO. Grisham has served as Founder, Managing Member and CEO of GPB Scientific LLC since 2002. Boasting 21 years of experience in the ... read more ».

Legislators Meet with GMU Lyme Disease Researchers

Lyme disease is at epidemic levels in Northern Virginia, so elected officials gathered at George Mason University’s Prince William Campus last week to discuss the latest developments for detecting and treating the disease. Legislators and staff from both the Virginia House of Delegates and the ... read more ».

Recipharm and Synthonics Join to Promote Novel Drug Delivery Technology

Recipharm Pharmaceutical Development AB and Synthonics, Inc. have announced formation of a Joint Promotion Agreement. The contract, the first of its kind to be entered into between the two companies, will provide Recipharm customers full access to Synthonics’ metal coordination chemistry, ... read more ».

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger to Step Down

Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger will step down as university president. The university’s board of visitors will assemble a search committee immediately.  Steger will remain as president until the search concludes and his replacement begins work. “When one is totally absorbed in ... read more ».

Our Mission

The Virginia Biotechnology Association, also known as “Virginia Bio,” is the statewide non-profit organization that promotes the scientific and economic impact of the life sciences industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Approximately 300 biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies are based in Virginia, mainly clustered around universities in Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, Norfolk and Northern Virginia. According to a recent study by BIO, Battelle and Archstone LLC, the bioscience industry has a profound impact on the state’s economy:

• According to a study in 2011, the bioscience industry supported nearly 80,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Commonwealth.
• The value of the industry’s products and services was approximately $13.7 billion in 2008.
• Between 2001 and 2008, bioscience employment in Virginia grew by 23%, compared to 6% for all occupations statewide.
• Between 2001 and 2008, the number of bioscience companies in Virginia grew by 55%, compared to 18% for all companies statewide.
• The industry paid employees about $1.8 billion in wages in 2006, resulting in $81.6 million in state taxes and $433.3 million in federal taxes.
• Biopharmaceutical employees paid, on average, $4,091 in state taxes, compared to the much more modest $1,501 paid by the average worker in Virginia.
• In 2008, Virginia’s biomedical researchers conducted nearly 1,900 clinical tests of new medicines, including 678 trials for cancer drugs, 102 tests for heart disease medicines, 232 rare disease treatment trials and 80 tests for HIV/AIDS drugs.