Virginia BioTechnology Research Park

July 2011

Biotech Park News

Silver Lining to Fighting Germs
Copper and silver are making a comeback as germ-fighting agents. The metals have been known for their anti-microbial powers for more than a century, but they were eclipsed by antibiotics in the modern era. Now, due in part to technology that allows them to be woven into fabrics, copper and silver are showing up in consumer products. Marketers of the products say infusing things as socks, pillows and mattresses with precious metals limit growth of bacteria, fungi and even dust mites. Cupron Inc., Richmond, Va., sells a copper-weave yarn it uses in its own socks and sells to other makers.
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Bioscience: Discovery is in Virginia’s DNA
Founded in 1607 by a venture-backed company in London, Virginia has long been the destination of choice for entrepreneurs and start-up companies. That same tradition of discovery continues today with nearly 300 biotechnology and medical device firms that are expanding the frontiers of modern medicine. These dedicated scientists, clustered around research universities such as Virginia Commonwealth University, are pioneering new therapeutic medicines, more effective diagnostics and life-saving medical devices.
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Maryland, Virginia Biotech Industries Take Center Stage in D.C.
While the Washington region is internationally recognized as home to federal government workers, government contractors and a strong IT sector, the area is also home to a flourishing biotechnology community. With more than 2,252 bioscience companies located in Maryland and Virginia, 18 of which are publicly traded and represent a market valuation of more than $11 billion, the region is home to many of the country’s leading innovators in the biotechnology industry.
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Virginia BioTechnology Research Park Seeks State Help
The Virginia BioTechnology Research Park is doing well but could use financial help from the state, the Senate Finance Committee was told.  Robert T. Skunda, president of the research park in downtown Richmond, said the park had been receiving support from Virginia Commonwealth University until recently, but, because of budget cuts, VCU “understandably” stopped helping out.  The park, a joint venture of the state, the city and VCU, has 1.1 million square feet of buildings representing investments of $525 million, Skunda said. More than 2,000 employees work there, he added.
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Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. Becomes First Platform Partner of American Heart Association
Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. (HDL, Inc.), a CAP accredited leader in health management, and The American Heart Association signed a three-year partnership to work together to prevent cardiovascular diseases and improve cardiovascular health in the Richmond community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and across the United States. This partnership is the first of its kind nationally, and rounds out the top-level sponsorships locally. HDL, Inc. will become the third of three sponsors for the Heart Walk, joining Anthem and HCA Virginia, and the Heart Ball, joining Bon Secours Richmond Health System and VCU Medical Center.
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Paul B. Ferrara, Pioneer of DNA Use, Dies at 68
Paul B. Ferrara, 68, the former head of Virginia’s forensic-science laboratory who helped pioneer the use of DNA as a crime-fighting tool in the U.S., has died. His wife, Dale Lynn Ferrara, said that her husband died of complications of cancer at their home in Chesterfield County. Mr. Ferrara retired at the end of 2006 after 21 years as director of the state Department of Forensic Science, where he was credited with recognizing the forensic potential of DNA and then winning the resources to exploit it.
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VCU News and Research

VCU and University of Dammam to Collaborate on Science, Technology and Health Care Research
Officials from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Dammam in Saudi Arabia have signed a Letter of Interest representing the institutions’ intent to collaborate on basic, clinical and translational research relating to science, technology and health care.  A ceremonial signing of the Letter of Interest took place July 21 at the conclusion of a two-day visit to VCU by Alhusain Alzahrani, Ph.D., professor of microbiology and dean of scientific research at the University of Dammam, who had spent time touring the campus and meeting with key members of the leadership team here.
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VCU Pharmacy Resident Earns Special Fulbright-Strathclyde Research Award
Jordan Covvey, a PGY1 pharmacy practice resident with the VCU Health System, has been named a 2011-12 Fulbright Scholar. In addition, Covvey received the Fulbright-Strathclyde Research Award, which will allow her to pursue her Ph.D. at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.  Unlike most Fulbright scholars, who are awarded one-year grants, Covvey received the only Faculty of Science Fulbright, co-sponsored by the Strathclyde Institute, providing her an additional three years of study and research in Scotland. This is the inaugural year of the special grant.
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VCU Medical Center Ranks Nationally in U.S. News 2011-12 Best Hospitals
The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center was ranked 49th nationally in nephrology in U.S. News Media & World Report’s 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings.  The announcement comes on the heels of the VCU Medical Center’s recent ranking this past spring as No. 1 hospital in the Richmond metro area in U.S. News and World Report’s first-ever Best Hospitals metro area rankings.  The latest national rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Each is ranked among the country’s top hospitals in at least one medical specialty and/or ranked among the best hospitals in its metro area.
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In the Lab and Clinic, VCU Massey Develops a New Therapy for Blood Cancers
Clinical researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center have successfully completed a Phase I clinical trial evaluating a combination of the drugs Bortezomib and Alvocidib in patients with relapsed or refractory blood cancers, paving the way for a Phase II clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of the new therapy.  Reported in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, the study determined the maximum tolerated dose with acceptable side effects for this novel drug combination. The trial represented the first time a proteasome inhibitor such as Bortezomib was combined with a cell cycle inhibitor such as Alvocidib to treat patients with cancer. Proteasome inhibitors work by blocking the action of proteasomes, which are large protein complexes that help destroy proteins that are no longer needed by the cell. Cell cycle inhibitors disrupt the sequence of events that allow cells to undergo cell division and duplication. They also have the ability to block gene transcription.
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Pan American Trauma Society Moves Headquarters to VCU Medical Center
The VCU Medical Center is the new headquarters for the Pan American Trauma Society – the lead organization for the advancement of trauma care systems in the Americas.  The society seeks to improve trauma care by enhancing trauma systems, educating health care personnel and emphasizing injury and violence prevention. Hosted by the VCU Department of Surgery’s Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Surgery, the organization is led by Rao Ivatury, M.D., professor in the Department of Surgery, as the executive director, and Michel Aboutanos, M.D., associate professor of surgery, as secretary general.
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