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For immediate Release
November 06, 2003
Park president chairs governmental affairs committee for
biotech industry
RICHMOND, Va. – Robert T. Skunda, president and CEO
of the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, chaired the first
meeting of the Virginia Biotechnology Association’s
Governmental Affairs Committee today at the Park’s downtown
campus.
Skunda, who also serves on the Governor’s Advisory
Board for the Virginia Biotechnology Initiative, said the
committee will assist the association in representing the
interest of its members. Specifically, the committee will
focus on tracking legislative items being presented to the
Virginia General Assembly and lobby issues based on how they
will affect the growth and development of the state’s
biotechnology industry.
“Biotechnology is at the heart of a fast-growing new
sector of the U.S. economy. As the industry expands, it is
becoming the focal point of many local, regional and state
economic development strategies. Therefore, it is imperative
that Virginia examine its environment and develop a strategy
to compete for the industry on a national level,” said
Skunda. “The Advisory Board for the Virginia Biotechnology
Initiative is working to develop recommendations for a statewide
strategy that would position Virginia as a leader in the biotechnology
industry. This can become a platform from which the Governmental
Affairs Committee can deliver its message to the general assembly.”
The goals of the Virginia Biotechnology Association are to
1) promote the biotechnology industry in Virginia, 2) expand
the knowledge and expertise of Virginia’s businesses
concerning biotechnology through seminars, educational publications
and other means, 3) enhance public awareness of the biotechnology
industry in Virginia and the scientific, economic and other
benefits it provides, and 4) represent the interests of the
biotechnology industry in Virginia before federal, state and
local legislators and regulators.
The Virginia BioTechnology Research Park is home to a unique
mix of biosciences companies, research institutes affiliated
with Virginia Commonwealth University, major state and national
medical laboratories, and non-profit organizations. 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: http://www.vabiotech.com
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