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For Immediate Release
June 24, 2003
VIRGINIA BIOTECH PARK PRESIDENT STRESSES REGIONAL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS AT BIO 2003
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Robert T. Skunda, president and CEO of the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, says one of the biggest challenges in launching and growing a science and technology park is creating a supportive regional business environment.
“It’s important to collaborate with other organizations in the local community, the region and the state,” says Skunda, who made his comments today (June 24) during a panel discussion of top research park executives at BIO 2003, the annual convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
“A regional effort to develop and promote the biotechnology industry has synergistic outcomes and does much to help a science and technology park become successful.”
Skunda, who became head of the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park in Richmond, Va., in 1997, outlined how his Park took root in downtown Richmond as an initiative of Virginia Commonwealth University, the city of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia. During the past seven years, Skunda says, he has focused intently on developing collaborative relationships with private and county economic development officials in Central Virginia, business associations and other local organizations, including the universities in the area.
“Sometimes the task was difficult, but forging those partnerships was essential for creating the right environment to build the life sciences industry in Central Virginia,” Skunda said.
He also emphasized the value of a close relationship with a major research university, which can create academic programs tailored to industry needs and stimulate business development by encouraging commercialization of research and inventions by university researchers. For example, the Park’s business accelerator, the Virginia Biosciences Development Center, recently teamed with VCU to develop a curriculum to teach business entrepreneurship skills to professional life scientists, with the goal of spurring formation of biosciences companies in Greater Richmond and Central Virginia.
The Virginia BioTechnology Research Park is home to a unique mix of more than 45 biosciences companies, research institutes affiliated with VCU and major state and national medical laboratories and organizations involved with forensics, testing of biotoxins and management of the nation’s organ transplantation process. The Park is only one-third developed, yet already its tenants, housed in eight buildings, fill more than 575,000 square feet of space in downtown Richmond and employ more than 1,400 scientists, researchers, engineers and technicians in fields that include drug development, medical diagnostics, biomedical engineering, forensics and environmental analysis. Recent partnerships with neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield counties will extend the reach of the Park to satellite parks that can accommodate larger companies on suburban campuses.
Contact:
Nicky Colomb
Virginia BioTechnology Research Park
Phone: (804) 828-6884
E-mail: ncolomb@vabiotech.com
Web site: www.vabiotech.com
Robert T. Skunda
Virginia BioTechnology Research Park
Phone: (804) 828-5391
E-mail: rts@vabiotech.com
Web site: www.vabiotech.com
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