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For Immediate Release
July 21, 2003
Virginia Bioscience Development Center wins CIT grant
RICHMOND, Va. The Virginia Biosciences Development Center (VBDC) has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology to continue a monthly outreach program in collaboration with the Office of Technology Transfer at Virginia Commonwealth University.
VCU President and Virginia BioTechnology Research Park Chairman Eugene P. Trani has listed commercialization of VCU research as a priority. An important goal, according to David Lohr, executive director of the VBDC, is to make VCU researchers aware of the VBDC resources available to assist them in commercializing a novel technology.
"This grant will allow us to generate and enhance awareness of the technology transfer and capital formation opportunities among VCU's research faculty," said Lohr. "It is a crucial first step in increasing the number of life science start-ups and growing a nationally recognized biosciences industry in Central Virginia."
The monthly sessions, which include presentations by Lohr and VCU Technology Transfer Director Richard Franson, Ph.D., are held at the Park. During the recently ended fiscal year, about 225 VCU researchers and staff members attended.
The VBDC provides business assistance to start-up companies located in the Park's incubator facility. In less than three years, the VBDC has emerged as a major contributor to the growth of early stage life science technology businesses in the Richmond area. VBDC staff have counseled more than 23 start-ups and helped to birth eight of them. Since its inception, VBDC has secured cash and/or in-kind commitments, grants and contracts exceeding $750,000 for the benefit of growing the life sciences industry in the region.
Contact:
Nicky Colomb
Virginia BioTechnology Research Park
Phone: (804) 828-6884
E-mail: ncolomb@vabiotech.com
Web site: www.vabiotech.com
David Lohr
Virginia Biosciences Development Center
Phone: (804) 828-7048
Email: drl@vabiotech.com
Web: www.vabiotech.com/bioincubator
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