Virginia Economic Review

As the world continues to struggle with drug supply chains and critical shortages, clusters of activity have emerged to move the needle of medication affordability and accessibility.

John Newby is the CEO of Virginia Bio, the nonprofit statewide trade association that serves and promotes the life sciences industry in Virginia.

Eric Arocho is associate vice president at Eli Lilly and Company and the site lead on the company’s facility in Goochland County, announced last year.

Recent major biopharmaceutical manufacturing announcements are positioning Virginia for a broader reshoring effort in the pharma industry. COVID-era supply chain disruptions and resulting shortages exposed the risks of over-reliance on overseas production for essential medicines.

A pharmaceutical manufacturing innovation that came out of a Virginia university is changing the way medicines are made. The Commonwealth’s universities and the rest of its biopharma research community are making sure Virginia is ready to make the medicines of the future.

Would more men try to prevent unintended pregnancies if their choices for contraception went beyond a condom or vasectomy?

In October 2025, shovels went into the ground in Elkton, marking the start of a $3 billion pharmaceutical expansion project that will add 400,000 square feet to Merck’s existing campus.

The Greater Richmond region is in the middle of the greatest population growth in its history.

A lot changed in Virginia’s life sciences industry in the space of about a month last fall. Between Sept. 16 and Oct. 20, biopharmaceutical manufacturing giants Eli Lilly and Company, AstraZeneca, and Merck & Co.

Alexandria Troupe, a licensed agent at River Fox Realty in Richmond, discusses the real estate market in Richmond and Virginia as a whole, including the factors that draw homebuyers to Virginia and the Commonwealth’s relative affordability along the Interstate 95 corridor. Watch the Conversation

Virginia’s moderate, four-season climate is a draw for residents of all interests. From the mountains to the beach, Virginians can experience summer heat, winter snow, and everything in between without leaving the Commonwealth.

Virginia’s abundant recreation scene means that there’s something to do for just about everyone, whether you’re an experienced hiker or kayaker looking for a challenge or a parent looking to pass along a love of the outdoors.

Virginia’s long history and evolution since its founding have left a wide variety of unique attractions, from the historic to the entertaining to the just plain weird.

Virginia’s unique place in American history goes back to the very beginning, with the establishment of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, in 1607.

Virginia’s restaurants mirror its communities, with a wide range of specialties to suit all budgets and abundant seafood from its coastal waterways. The Commonwealth is also home to a thriving wine, beer, and spirits industry.