The Communities at the Forefront of Virginia’s Biopharma Push: The I95-I85 Intersection

The I95-I85 Intersection is anchored by the Tri-Cities of Petersburg (home to Civica Rx’s facility that produces a wide variety of affordable essential medicines), Hopewell, and Colonial Heights. In addition to its proximity to major population centers in Richmond and Hampton Roads, the region earns its name with its infrastructure — Interstates 85, 95, and 295 run through the region, along with the four-lane U.S. 460, which connects it with The Port of Virginia’s Hampton Roads facilities. Fort Lee, formerly Fort Gregg-Adams, is a major U.S. military logistics presence in the region. In addition to pharmaceutical manufacturing, the I95-I85 Intersection is strong in logistics and distribution, advanced manufacturing, and food and beverage processing.

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry with sunset.

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry

The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry crosses the James River between James City County and Surry County, connecting the region with Hampton Roads.

Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie County hosts professional drag racing events on its quarter-mile dragstrip along with a family ATV park with 250 acres of riding space.

Car race event.
Crowd of people outside in Downtown Petersburg.

Downtown Petersburg

The Appomattox River runs through the I95-I85 Intersection between Petersburg and Colonial Heights before joining the James River in Hopewell.

Woman and dog standing in the middle of Appomattox river.
Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing building interior

Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Prince George County

Service Center Metals has operated in Prince George County since 2003 and now ships its extruded aluminum products to metal service centers across the country.

Service Center Metals employee operating machinery.
Appomattox River Canoeing Petersburg

Appomattox River

Suggested Reading

John Newby

A Biopharma Moment Decades in the Making

First Quarter 2026

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

Read More
Eric Arocho with module background

Growing a Biopharma Ecosystem

First Quarter 2026

Eric Arocho is associate vice president at Eli Lilly and Company and the site lead on the company’s facility in Goochland County, Virginia - announced last year. The Goochland facility, expected to be completed within the next five years, will produce both critical drug components and finished medicines to support Lilly’s emerging bioconjugate platform and monoclonal antibody portfolio.

Read More

Podcasts

John Newby

A Biopharma Moment Decades in the Making

April 7, 2026

A Conversation With John Newby, CEO, Virginia Bio

Pam Cheng

The Urgency of Building Healthier Communities

April 1, 2026

A Conversation With Pam Cheng, Executive Vice President of Global Operations and IT and Chief Sustainability Officer, AstraZeneca

Dave Maraldo

The History and Future of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Virginia

April 1, 2026

A Conversation With Dave Maraldo, Senior Vice President of Human Health Manufacturing Operations, Merck

View All Podcasts