CvilleBioHub will expand the Commonwealth BioAccelerator and state-of-the-art facilities at the North Fork Discovery Park. The expansion is powered by a transformational $15 million investment from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the University of Virginia. This funding establishes a commitment to life sciences entrepreneurship and commercialization in Virginia and signals a major leap forward for the region’s biotech industry.
The BioAccelerator program welcomed its first cohort of six early-stage life sciences startups this summer. Through tailored mentorship, operational support, and physical lab space, the Commonwealth BioAccelerator is designed to turn high-potential scientific discoveries into scalable life sciences businesses, keeping talent and intellectual property in Virginia while connecting startups to the broader Mid-Atlantic innovation ecosystem.
“This is establishing the cornerstone for Virginia’s biotech future,” said Nikki Hastings, Executive Director of CvilleBioHub. “By aligning public funding, academic strength, and commercial energy, we’re building a new model for how regional ecosystems can drive national innovation.”
This new phase of growth marks a major milestone for the University of Virginia and the Commonwealth at large, placing the region firmly on the map as an emerging center for life sciences innovation. The combination of research depth from the University of Virginia, a growing investor network, and a collaborative public-private framework offers biotech founders a powerful launchpad to scale.
“The work being done here at CvilleBioHub shows what’s possible when we invest in the intersection of science, academics and entrepreneurship,” said Juan Pablo Segura, Secretary of Health and Human Resources for Virginia. “This accelerator is not just about startups. It’s about positioning Virginia as a destination for world-class biotech innovation, job creation, and long-term economic growth.”
In addition to launching the BioAccelerator, the additional funding enables expansion of labs to support anticipated growth resulting from significant investments from the Commonwealth of Virginia into the region, especially with the Manning Institute of Biotechnology. CvilleBioHub will continue to grow and attract commercial opportunities for the region through support of early-stage life sciences companies. These initiatives support CvilleBioHub’s mission to foster a thriving, nationally recognized life sciences cluster by creating a pipeline of support from discovery to commercialization.
Meet the 2025 Accelerator Cohort:
Avant Genomics: Liquid biopsy platform for early-stage cancer detection
Built Biotechnologies: DNA Manufacturing-as-a-Service
SNC Therapeutics: Tolerogenic nanotherapy for Type 1 Diabetes Delay and Prevention
SonoFx: Medtech innovation in voice restoration
Vasarya Therapeutics: Site-specific therapeutics for fibrotic diseases
This announcement aligns with broader state efforts to mark VA250, celebrating 250 years of innovation and independence in Virginia. It also follows Hastings’ recent recognition as one of Virginia Business Magazine’s “Women in Leadership,” underscoring the critical role of women leaders in shaping the future of science and entrepreneurship.
Read more here.