--- title: Bio International 2019 image: https://pages.grpva.com/hubfs/Health_biologist.jpg --- [![Greater Richmond Partnership | Virginia | USA](https://pages.grpva.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Page%202017/images/GRP_Logo_Tagline_RGB@2x.png?width=198&height=83&name=GRP_Logo_Tagline_RGB@2x.png)](http://www.grpva.com/) # **Bio International 2019** ![Biotech_300px](https://pages.grpva.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Biotech_300px.jpg?width=300&name=Biotech_300px.jpg) # The Richmond Region’s BioScience community provides growth opportunities for your bio, life sciences or medical device company. Innovation is around every corner with new medical technologies being developed throughout the Richmond Region. Anchored by Virginia Commonwealth University -- home of the first artificial heart implant on the East Coast -- the Richmond Region's business community embraces a wide array of BioScience companies and helps them thrive. In fact, bio businesses in Virginia are growing at nearly 60% above the U.S. rate. Thanks to VCU and the [VA Bio+Tech Park](http://www.vabiotech.com/), the Richmond Region’s health and life science community is gaining momentum and is starting to rival the North Carolina Research Triangle and Cambridge, Mass., thanks to their [tech transfer program](https://news.vcu.edu/article/A_new_office_at_VCU_is_nurturing_startups_to_bring_more_faculty). During the 2017 fiscal year alone, VCU attracted $275 million in sponsored research funding – earning national recognition as a research university by [The Carnegie Foundation](https://www.carnegiefoundation.org/) for the Advancement of Teaching for their “very high research activity.” The [Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation](https://www.gatesfoundation.org/) recently awarded VCU’s College of Engineering a $25 million grant to create the [Medicines for All Institute](http://medicines4all.vcu.edu/). Led by retired pharma engineer Dr. Frank Gupton, the institute helps increase access to medications for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other diseases around the globe. The Medicines for All Institute has also worked closely with the Clinton Health Access Initiative. Including the most recent grant, VCU has received nearly $40 million from the Gates Foundation. The Richmond Region’s BioSciences industry also includes Pfizer (R&D and production of over-the-counter drugs), Wako Chemicals (clinical diagnostic reagents), Commonwealth Biotechnologies (contract R&D) and PPD (drug development services and support). [![GFesta_250px](https://pages.grpva.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GFesta_250px.jpg?width=150&name=GFesta_250px.jpg)](mailto:gfesta@grpva.com)**CONNECT DURING BIO INTERNATIONAL:** [Grace Festa](mailto:gfesta@grpva.com) Business Development Manager Greater Richmond Partnership   [![Learn more about Richmond's BioScience industry](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1943647/54627490-43f9-4bed-badd-bcc1b7a510d2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1943647/54627490-43f9-4bed-badd-bcc1b7a510d2)       [![](https://pages.grpva.com/hubfs/Landing%20Page%202017/images/logo-footer.png)](https://pages.grpva.com/) [(804) 643-3227](tel:18046433227) 901 East Byrd Street | Suite 801 | Richmond, Virginia 23219 USA The Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. is the regional economic development group representing the [City of Richmond](http://www.grpva.com/about-grp/our-vision/city-of-richmond/) and the [Counties of Chesterfield](http://www.grpva.com/about-grp/our-vision/chesterfield-county/), [Hanover](http://www.grpva.com/about-grp/our-vision/hanover-county/) and [Henrico](http://www.grpva.com/about-grp/our-vision/henrico-county/). [Business First Greater Richmond](http://www.businessfirstrichmond.com/) [Richmond: Love What You Find](http://www.lovewhatyoufind.com/) [Privacy Policy](http://www.grpva.com/privacy-policy) - - - - [![](https://pages.grpva.com/hubfs/Landing%20Page%202017/images/logo-aedo.png)](http://www.iedconline.org/web-pages/professional-development/learn-more-about-the-accredited-economic-development-organization-program/)