The agricultural landscape is changing. Increased food production is needed to support the world population. Innovative efficiencies are needed throughout agriculture. Climate change scenarios suggest significant modifications in agriculture. In order to address these issues and use informed scientific discovery and technology-driven innovation to develop solutions, the Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences …

MedTech Innovator is the largest accelerator of medical devices in the world. We provide an unparalleled platform to support startups with the access, visibility, and network to bring their innovations to patients. Our alumni have raised over $2B in follow-on funding, brought 75 products to the market, and achieved 11 acquisitions. In its latest CipherBio report, …

Sentara Healthcare announced that it has awarded a $4 million grant to Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University to help develop a regional School of Public Health. The funding is part of a $10 million community investment – the Sentara Healthier Communities Fund – which will be split into three areas of focus over …

Governor Northam and the Virginia Biotechnology Association announced today that GO Virginia has approved a competitive grant request to help fund Virginia Bio-Connect, a $3.2 million Statewide industry cluster scale up initiative. The project, directed by the Virginia Biotechnology Association, is a multi-regional collaboration designed to increase connectivity and awareness of the existing programs, resources, …

A state panel has awarded nearly $300,000 to a nonprofit group that will coordinate efforts to enhance the technology ecosystem in the Roanoke, New River Valley and Lynchburg regions. The grant from the GO Virginia state board comes with $150,000 in matching funds from local supporters. The board also approved $100,000 for a study of …

Kevin Leslie has been named executive director of the new Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium (HRBRC), a partnership between Old Dominion University, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and Sentara Healthcare. Recently approved by Gov. Ralph Northam and the General Assembly, the HRBRC aims to strengthen the relationship among the three institutions and to jump start …

BARDA has announced a new type of public-private partnership, BARDA Ventures , that will realize authorities granted in the 21st Century Cures Act to utilize venture capital (VC) methods and practices. This will be the first time HHS has utilized VC practices to make investments. As part of the new program, BARDA is soliciting proposals …

Over the past few decades, the life sciences industry in Virginia has been able to create thousands of jobs and develop groundbreaking treatments in part due to the commonwealth enacting policies that support innovation and growth. Then when the coronavirus pandemic began, the industry was able to jump into hyperdrive to develop solutions, treatments, and …

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released new data on the bioscience industry in the United States in their report, The Bioscience Economy: Propelling Life-Saving Treatments, Supporting State & Local Communities. This report outlines the bioscience industry’s economic footprint across the nation and in Virginia, as well as the significant role played by small- and mid-sized …

With Gov. Ralph Northam managing a measured reopening across Virginia, workers, researchers and businesses at every point of the health care delivery system are continuing to work to contain the spread of COVID-19. Among them are Virginia’s biotechnology companies and organizations that have been helping to ramp up testing, develop treatments and work toward possible …

Virginia Bio and the Virginia Bioscience Foundation have named Justice High School’s, Andrew Tran of Falls Church as the winner of the 2020 Virginia BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research and innovation in the biotechnology field. As the Virginia BioGENEius finalist, Andrew will attend the 2020 BIO Digital …

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) – the world’s largest science and public advocacy organization, representing 1,000 members — announced today that Michelle McMurry-Heath, MD, PhD, will become the organization’s next President and CEO on June 1, succeeding former Rep. Jim Greenwood, who has led the organization since 2005. McMurry-Heath has served in numerous senior leadership …

CvilleBioHub’s first Industry Report on the scope of the biotechnology industry in the CvilleBioHub Region (CBR) highlights the growing economic and societal impact from jobs, capital and innovation. The report details the more than 65 companies emerging and growing within the region and shows activity and investment by sector, from medical devices and therapeutics to …

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) is funding five additional Vet Fellowships to conduct pandemic and zoonotic research. The FFAR Vet Fellows program equips veterinary students with the expertise to address future agricultural challenges. Up to 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning a pathogen …

VULCAN: DIY Hack-a-Vent Innovation Challenge: Over the next 2 weeks, this Innovation Challenge seeks to pool brilliant minds and expertise to develop a low-cost, non-FDA approved, mechanical ventilation support system that can be rapidly produced at local levels with widely available resources. Click here to submit. The top 3 submissions will be selected by a panel of …

Virginia Bio, the non-profit trade association of the life science industry in Virginia is seeking a Director of Programs and Communications and a Vice President Membership and Development to join the team. Click here to learn more about the Director of Programs and Communications Click here to learn more about the Vice President Membership and Development  

Each year, Virginia Bio recruits volunteer judges from the membership to attend the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair to select the top three winners in the field of biosciences. The time commitment is limited to a pre-event online review of the submissions to select the finalists and then a few hours onsite at the …

A letter from John Newby, CEO, Virginia Bio Citizens across Virginia need health solutions and affordable health care to live full, healthy and productive lives. Lawmakers in the General Assembly are examining a broad range of policies in an attempt to relieve the burden of rising health care costs. But some of the proposals under …