Virginia Secures $120 Million Investment for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Workforce Development

On November 5, 2025, the Alliance for Building Better Medicine (ABBM) and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) celebrated a significant milestone in the development of Virginia's advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing workforce. The event marked the announcement by Governor Glenn Youngkin of a staggering $120 million investment from renowned pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and Merck.

This investment will fund the establishment of the Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM), located in the Richmond-Petersburg-Charlottesville area. The center, which is industry-led and neutral, is designed to collaborate with various universities and community colleges to enhance workforce training and development, ultimately unleashing a new generation of talent and innovation within the pharmaceutical sector.

The recent investment comes in the wake of previous announcements of $12.5 billion in capital expenditure from these global life science leaders, which are expected to create thousands of jobs in Virginia in the forthcoming years. An official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by VIPC Chief Executive Officer Joe Benevento alongside executives from Lilly, AstraZeneca, and Merck on October 31 in Richmond. This event was attended by notable figures, including Robby Demeria, Chair of the ABBM Board; Joy Polefrone, Regional Innovation Officer; Michael Rao, President of Virginia Commonwealth University; and representatives from several Virginia universities and community colleges.

The Central Virginia region, recognized as a U.S. EDA Tech Hub for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, reflects a dedicated effort by the ABBM to position Virginia as a national leader in this sector. Since its inception in 2020, the ABBM has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between businesses, government, academia, and non-profit sectors to fortify America’s pharmaceutical supply chain through innovation and workforce development. Virginia is emerging as the only U.S. region boasting a complete ecosystem that encompasses research, innovation, and scalable production, ensuring that critical and innovative medicines are manufactured domestically.

"This occasion highlights the tangible impact that purposeful collaboration can generate," stated Joy Polefrone, Ph.D., speaking on the progress of Virginia's pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. "The evolution of the APM ecosystem demonstrates an integrated community of innovators, educators, and manufacturers united by a common objective: accelerating progress and building a workforce prepared for the future. We are focused on creating career pathways that afford individuals opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their families, communities, and the nation."

As Virginia’s designated statewide economic development authority, the VIPC plays a pivotal role in nurturing innovation ecosystems by supporting key industries such as Life Sciences. Their initiatives encompass research, commercialization, entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, access to capital, and fostering public-private partnerships. Notable state initiatives include Virginia's Research Diamond for science recruitment, the Lab-to-Launch program for technology commercialization, and the Virginia Accelerator Network aimed at entrepreneur support.

Joe Benevento, President and CEO of VIPC, remarked on the importance of workforce talent in cultivating a thriving innovation landscape. "We are excited to collaborate with industry leaders such as AstraZeneca, Lilly, and Merck, as well as educational institutions across Virginia, to foster talent, innovation, and opportunity," he emphasized. "Virginia is at the forefront of Life Sciences and Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and we are advancing growth through collaborative efforts and innovative strategies."

The achievements of the ABBM have already attracted nearly $1.5 billion in regional investments, solidifying Virginia's status as a global authority in advanced medicine manufacturing. Previous initiatives led by the ABBM have garnered accolades such as the recognition of Virginia as a U.S. Tech Hub for APM, as well as receiving prestigious awards from the NSF and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The newly established Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing will further enhance these accomplishments by offering industry-aligned workforce training, certifications, and hands-on learning experiences through Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) simulations, classroom-based learning, apprenticeships, and internships.

In conclusion, Robby Demeria, founding board chair of the ABBM, encapsulated the significance of this partnership. "Today embodies the essence of collaboration, with public and private entities joining forces to enhance medicine access, generate impactful careers, and bolster the supply chain infrastructure that ultimately benefits everyone. This transformative investment is a testament to the mission guiding the Alliance since our inception and marks a momentum we aspired to create just five years ago. Together, we are building a better future in medicine."