Haleon Partners with Virginia on Talent Development
Haleon, a global healthcare company, invested $54.2 million to upgrade its research & development facility in the City of Richmond earlier this year. The strategic location of Richmond, with its competitive cost of living and favorable business operating costs, provides an ideal environment for building leading R&D capabilities and attracting world-class talent. Additionally, Haleon and the Commonwealth are launching the Haleon-Commonwealth Consumer Healthcare Internship Program for Advanced Life Sciences in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) that will provide paid opportunities for undergraduate VCU students in the new Pharmaceutical Science degree program, as well as summer internships for students from all of Virginia’s higher education institutions.
Merck & Co. Benefits from Custom Workforce Solution
For over 75 years, Merck & Co., Inc. has been manufacturing lifesaving drugs and vaccines in the Shenandoah Valley. To meet workforce demands associated with Merck’s robust growth, nearby Blue Ridge Community College and James Madison University worked with the state, locality, and company to develop a program to address the short- and long-term needs for specialized skill sets. This unique partnership ensures a pipeline of biotechnology engineering and computer science talent to accommodate Merck’s future growth and benefit other major area employers.
Civica Investment Strengthens Essential Medicines Partnership
Nonprofit generic drug company Civica Inc. launched in Utah in 2018 to address the problem of chronic generic drug shortages and high drug prices by providing quality, affordable generic medicines across the U.S. To address this critical issue, a new partnership in Virginia began to take shape, combining innovative manufacturing techniques with a commitment to strengthening the supply chain for quality, American-made essential medicines — and Civica would be a key partner. With its welcoming partnerships, central location along I-95, and robust life sciences workforce, Civica found a successful location in Virginia.