News

Virginia Catalyst Announces Grant Round 15 Awarded Projects

The Virginia Catalyst, also known as the Virginia Biosciences Health Research Corporation (VBHRC), today announced that it has awarded $2.2 million in grants to four life and bioscience projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These four collaborative projects, involving Virginia research universities and industry partners, were awarded through Virginia Catalyst Grant Round 15 to address major unmet healthcare needs and drive job creation and capital formation in Virginia.

Through this 15th round of funding, Virginia Catalyst has awarded 61 grants totaling $29.7 million, resulting in over $47 million in matching funds and an additional $821 million in follow-on funding to date.

Grant Round 15 awarded projects:

Project: Transforming Asthma Treatment with a New Generation A2B Adenosine Receptor Antagonist

  • Company: Adovate, LLC  (Charlottesville, VA)
  • University collaborators: University of Virginia and Virginia Tech
  • Funding amount: $800,000

Project: Optimization of a Wearable Enteral Feeding System for Commercialization

  • Company: Luminoah, Inc. (Charlottesville, VA)
  • University collaborators: University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Funding amount: $463,000

Project: Pre-clinical Evaluation of an Implant Device for the Regeneration of Severe Osteochondral Defects, Utilizing a Proven Novel Material and 3D Printing

  • Company: Nanochon, Inc. (Washington, DC)
  • University collaborators: Virginia Tech and University of Virginia
  • Funding amount: $445,000

Project: Blocking the S1P Pathway for Chronic Kidney Disease Therapeutics

  • Company: S1P Therapeutics, Inc. (Blacksburg, VA)
  • University collaborators: Virginia Tech and University of Virginia
  • Funding amount: $500,000

Recent News

05/22/2026

BIO Statement on Veto of Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDAB) in VirginiaPatrick J. Plues, Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs & Affiliate Relations at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released the following statement on the veto of Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDAB) legislation in Virginia: “BIO applauds Governor Spanberger’s decision to veto SB 271 and HB 483 — legislation that would have established a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) and imposed arbitrary price controls in Virginia. The Governor’s action recognized an important point: even well-intentioned healthcare policies must be carefully designed to avoid unintended consequences for patients, providers, employers, and Virginia’s innovation economy. “BIO is proud to represent biotechnology companies developing the next generation of life-changing medicines, including many in the Commonwealth. We believe policymakers play a critically important role in helping advance both patient access to treatments and the continued growth of the life sciences sector. “We look forward to working with the Governor’s Administration, the General Assembly, Virginia Bio and other stakeholders to advance practical, patient-centered policy solutions that improve affordability while preserving access to care and the innovation ecosystem patients depend on.”

Patrick J. Plues, Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs & Affiliate Relations at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released the following statement on the veto of Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDAB) legislation in Virginia: “BIO applauds Governor Spanberger’s decision to veto SB 271 and HB 483 — legislation that would have established a Prescription

05/21/2026

Virginia Bio Applauds Governor Spanberger’s Veto of SB 271 and HB 483

The Virginia Biotechnology Association (Virginia Bio) today expressed strong support for Governor Abigail Spanberger’s decision to veto Senate Bill 271 and House Bill 483, legislation that would have established a Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Panel (PDAAP) in the Commonwealth. Virginia Bio and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce sent a joint letter to Governor Spanberger commending

05/21/2026

New Global Clinical Society to Bring Focused Ultrasound Into Mainstream Medicine

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation today announced the launch of the International Focused Ultrasound Society (IFUS), a new organization dedicated to advancing clinical practice and accelerating adoption of focused ultrasound – a revolutionary, noninvasive therapeutic technology. Established as a program of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, IFUS aggregates and expands the Foundation’s activities related to clinical implementation