Virginia Tech will play a central role in an ambitious statewide initiative to leverage strengths and partnerships across three regions in order to accelerate biotechnology innovation and advance the commonwealth’s position as a life sciences leader.
GO Virginia has approved $14.3 million to support Project VITAL: Virginia Innovations and Technology Advancements in Life Sciences, which will establish new research cores, expand workforce development programs, and create a collaborative network connecting Virginia Tech and other academic institutions with industry partners across the commonwealth’s biotechnology corridor.
This initiative builds upon Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s broader $90 million investment in biotechnology advancement, which included $27 million for the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC to expand clinical research.
The Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA), an organization focused on growing the region’s technology and biotechnology sectors, will collaborate with Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic to lead the Region 2 effort. Project VITAL will direct $4.9 million to strengthen the region’s position at the forefront of fields such as medical devices, oncology therapeutic research, and neurotechnology.
The funding will lend crucial enhancements to strengthen the innovation corridor in Southwest Virginia, including through a proof-of-concept program and support for innovation fellowships facilitated through LAUNCH: Center for New Ventures at Virginia Tech, both of which are specifically designed to encourage biomedical startups out of the university.
