First Quarter 2026

Virginia meets the life sciences moment

A look into the Commonwealth’s
recent streak of high-profile biopharma
manufacturing announcements

Highlights From the Issue

Employee at Civica Rx, Petersburg

Inside Virginia’s Rise to Biopharma Prominence

A look at the partnerships and targeted investment that created the next U.S. biopharma hotspot — and the work that still needs to be done

United Airlines plane and employees at Dulles International Airport

Dulles Prepares for Pharma Growth Through Brussels Partnership

Trans-Atlantic super-corridor will serve biopharma manufacturing hotspots in Belgium, Virginia

Blub bubbles in background behind VA

Enabling Innovation

Across Virginia, local life sciences ecosystems are helping researchers connect with the funding and facilities they need to grow

Pam Cheng

Virginia really surprised us on how fast the government can move — the rapid decision-making, motivation, and sense of urgency to do everything you guys can to build a better future with innovative medicine for the local community, and in this case, for American people. 

Pam Cheng

Executive Vice President of Global Operations and IT and Chief Sustainability Officer,
AstraZeneca

Selected Virginia Wins

Regional Spotlight

Greater Richmond:

The Communities at the Forefront of Virginia’s Biopharma Push

Centered on Virginia’s state capital and its surrounding communities, the Greater Richmond region is in the middle of the greatest population growth in its history, adding 56,000 new residents in the past four years. The region offers a unique combination of affordability and quality of life with urban, suburban, and rural settings, along with natural beauty, water recreation on the James River, and a lively cultural scene. Greater Richmond is home to the headquarters of 12 Fortune 1000 companies.

Regional Spotlight

The I95-I85 Intersection:

The Communities at the Forefront of Virginia’s Biopharma Push

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.

Past Issues

Virginia's Talent Playbook

Fourth Quarter 2025

This issue takes an in-depth look at Virginia’s talent infrastructure and the ways the Commonwealth invests in its workforce.

Virginia: Where goods, information, and people converge

Third Quarter 2025

This issue takes an in-depth look at Virginia’s infrastructure and the investments the Commonwealth makes to improve it.

The Livability Issue, Second Quarter 2025 of the Virginia Economic Review

Second Quarter 2025

This issue celebrates all of the unique factors that contribute to Virginia’s unbeatable quality of life.

View All Issues