strategy into capacity, but it also shows the depth of investment by partners at all levels of government and from the private sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Richmond pharmaceutical manufacturer Phlow Corp. secured a $354 million contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to produce essential medicines for the Strategic National Stockpile. The company’s manufacturing partner, Civica Rx, was awarded a 10-year contract to produce low-cost insulin at its Petersburg facility. Now, with Lilly ramping up to produce cancer drugs at its new Goochland County facility and AstraZeneca producing weight loss drugs in Albemarle County, Virginia is key to the national pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. Like the federal government, global industry leaders are validating the Commonwealth’s model. The new AstraZeneca and Lilly facilities and Merck’s expansion affirm Virginia’s capabilities and will strengthen Virginia’s momentum in attracting and retaining talent. These biopharma anchors also will attract suppliers and shorten supply chains. The ripple effect creates more opportunities for students, more choices for companies, and a deeper ecosystem for innovation in Virginia. At the end of the day, it comes down to partnerships. It is why we see companies like Merck that have been in the Commonwealth for nearly 85 years continuing to reinvest in our state. What makes Virginia a terrific business environment that moves at the speed of business is our strong partnerships. Every level of state and local government, as well as the private sector, works together to solve business needs at speed. These partnerships will leverage Virginia’s culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration to help keep America healthy and at the forefront of the biopharma industry. 54 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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