The future of biotechnology starts at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.
With flexible wet and dry lab space in the research park, there is ample opportunity to join an industry cluster of dynamic, established names in biotech, startups, and early-seed life sciences companies. What sets this biotechnology cluster apart is its local ecosystem of neighboring anchor companies and world-leading institutions, including Virginia Tech and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.
Life Sciences Collaboration
Life sciences innovation doesn’t happen in a void, inside a lab. Collaboration, mentors, and partnerships turn ideas and hypotheses into research innovation and scalable businesses.
“Through collaborations, we aim to meet the demand from biotechnology companies and provide the full access needed to support research to commercialization aspirations,” said Brett Malone, President & CEO of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. “Our sophisticated infrastructure makes us a research destination across industries for everyone from startups to enterprise companies.”
Space With Purpose
With sophisticated, bio-safe laboratories in place or designed to specifications, we offer space with purpose so your focus can remain on creating a safer world and healthier populations.
Intuitive Surgical Operations’ Ion Biopsy Needle
TechLab designs, develops, and manufactures enteric diagnostics
Firsts in Our Region
The Blacksburg region is commercializing biotech, spurring innovation, and creating an environment where companies can thrive. Some of the greatest biotechnology innovations of the last several decades have roots here in Southwest Virginia:
- First heart transplant in a human from a genetically modified pig
- COVID research on airborne virus transmission
- Dolly (the first cloned sheep) and Mr. Jefferson (the first cloned calf)
Virginia Life Sciences Industry
By the numbers
SOURCE: VirginiaBio
$8b
Life sciences contribution to the state economy
$77,848
Average annual wage of a life sciences worker
26,545
People employed in the sector
1,451
Life sciences companies across the state
1,197
Biopharmaceutical industry-sponsored trials annually
Biotechnology + COGro LABS
Securing flexible lab space has become a top priority for biotechnology partners and researchers. COGro LABS at VTCRC includes wet and dry lab spaces for collaborative research, plus shared core lab equipment.
Collaborate with Johnson & Johnson
COGro LABS also offers collaboration with Johnson & Johnson LLC to provide early-stage innovators with access to expert mentoring, programming, and resources through the virtual residency program at Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (JLABS). JLABS was established in 2012 with the aim of providing startups with access to the critical resources, expertise, networks, and collaborations needed to develop innovative healthcare solutions for patients and consumers.
Biotechnology Infrastructure in the Region
The connection to biotech doesn’t start and stop with the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. Within the sector, a cross-regional coalition in the Roanoke and New River valleys has continually worked to develop and expand on key projects and investments, including:
- $90 million investment by Commonwealth for the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
- $1.5 million combined investment by Commonwealth and partners for the RAMP program
- $155,000 project with GO Virginia and the VTCRC to design and provide capacity study
- Construction of a 139,000 square foot building, including research facilities, at VTC
- $50 million gift from Heywood Fralin to continue investments and growth in our region
- $30 million VTC Innovation Fund, VTC Seed Fund, Carilion Clinic Innovation, and VT/Carilion Clinic POC
A Regional Hub
for Biotechnology
The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center is located in a region that has steadily earned recognition as a life sciences hub.
If you are conducting traditional experiments using chemicals and biological samples or analyzing real-world phenomena using computational techniques, COgro LABS is the ideal location to jumpstart your research.
Let’s Get Started.
Request more information about the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center or schedule a tour. With lab spaces, office suites, and coworking spaces available, there’s something for companies at every stage.
