The Communities at the Forefront of Virginia’s Biopharma Push: Greater Richmond

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, and in addition to pharmaceutical manufacturing, the region is strong in advanced manufacturing, corporate services, finance and insurance, food and beverage manufacturing, information technology, and logistics and e-commerce.

Sunset view of Harrison Lake.

Harrison Lake, Charles City County

The town of Ashland in Hanover County, home to Randolph-Macon College, has been named one of America’s best small towns.

Night time outside view of Ashland Visitor Center.
Two people watching movie at drive-in theatre.

Goochland Drive-In Theater

Niche ranked Maggie Walker Governor’s School in Richmond as the No. 8 public high school in the United States in 2023.

The Goochland Drive-In Theater in Goochland County has been ranked among the top five must-visit drive-in theaters in the country.

Two students viewing a laptop together.
Underneath Manchester Bridge at night.

Richmond

The Virginia Capital Trail runs more than 50 miles from Richmond to Jamestown — between Virginia’s first capital and its current capital.

Girl running across Virginia Capital Trail
Ariel shot of Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Suggested Reading

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.

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Workforce

Building a Sustainable Pharma Manufacturing Workforce

First Quarter 2026

With recent investments in biopharma manufacturing, Virginia is meeting the moment with a major push to build its talent pipeline, launching new training programs and a dedicated workforce center to prepare workers for advanced manufacturing roles. As reshoring accelerates, the Commonwealth is positioning itself not just as a production hub—but as a leader in workforce readiness. 

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Podcasts

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

Peter Beard

Putting Talent in the Right Place

January 5, 2026

A Conversation With Peter Beard, Vice President of Policy and Programs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

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