Central Virginia’s pharmaceutical industry got a shot in the arm July 20 in the form of $16 million in federal funding to establish what the government called “a domestic manufacturing pathway for essential medicines and advance U.S. national security and economic competitiveness” globally.
The funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs Program was announced jointly by Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine; and Rep. Jennifer McClellan, whose district includes the Tri-City and metro Richmond areas. All three legislators had written letters in support of the funding.
The money will go to the Virginia Advanced Pharma Manufacturing and R&D Cluster in Petersburg and Richmond managed by the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority.
Lawmakers pleased with the decision
“For years, Virginia and the Virginia Advanced Pharma Manufacturing Cluster have been leading the charge in establishing our country’s dominance in the production of critical medicines,” Warner, D-Virginia, said in the statement. “These federal dollars will help cement the Commonwealth’s position as a national leader in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing while creating good-paying jobs in the Petersburg region, strengthening our economy, reducing our reliance on foreign supply chains, and protecting our national security.”…