Life Sciences

NEW IDEAS, PRODUCTS, AND SOON NEW DOCTORS
There's a lot of life in the Roanoke Region's life science sector. As one of the region's strongest clusters, more than 21,000 people are employed in 291 firms and jobs are expected to grow 35 percent by 2018. This diverse sector includes clinical, research, biotech, and medical devices.

Anchored by the Carilion Clinic, one of the largest health care companies in Virginia and the region's largest employer (10,000 + employees and 67 physician specialties).
Medical research campus under construction adjacent to Carilion Clinic, just south of downtown Roanoke to house Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute.
Medical school's first class set for 2010 to train physician researchers.
Carilion Biomedical Institute is a collaborative effort between Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, and the University of Virginia working in medical technology advancement, business creation, and research.
Area colleges and universities graduate more than 600 students annually (including approximately 400 at Virginia Tech) at all levels in the life sciences.
Jefferson College of Health Sciences offers a Master of Science in Nursing, Physician Assistant and Occupational Therapy and 12 baccalaureate and associate degree health care programs.

"We can discover, nurture and commercialize innovations that solve global problems in our own backyard -- and at the same time produce 21st century, cutting-edge jobs to benefit southwest Virginians."

Kent Murphy
Founder and CEO of Luna Innovations, when announcing the company's move to Roanoke

CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

Fralin Life Science Institute, an interdisciplinary research center, brings scientists together to solve some of biology's complex challenges.

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute develops genomic, proteomic and bioinformatic tools that can be applied to the study of infectious diseases as well as the discovery of new vaccine, drug, and diagnostic targets.

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, a partnership between Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland, provides advanced clinical care and conducts animal and biomedical research.

Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences is a fully joint venture which integrates the capabilities of the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine is a post-baccalaureate professional medical college at Virginia Tech.

"Novozymes technology development requires a wide range of expertise and experience not readily available in one location. The quality of life in the Roanoke area has been a significant draw for helping bring this new talent to our company."

Greg Dornstauder

Global Director of Novozymes

WHO'S HERE

Accellent – Medical devices
American Biosystems – Direct-fed microbials used in waste treatment, feed and aquaculture products
Attention Point – R&D of assessment tools for the diagnosis of ADHD
Emtech Laboratories – Hearing care products
Excel Prosthetics – Custom-made prosthetics and orthotics
Foot Levelers – Custom orthotics, pillows and exercise equipment for spinal stabilization
Intrexon – DNA control systems to enhance safety and outcomes of biological therapeutics
Ion Healthcare – Products and services for sleep apnea diagnosis
Keraderm – Medical device to treat nail infections
Luna Innovations – Biotech instrumentation, nanotechnology
McAirlaid's – Non-woven composite materials for absorbency end uses
Microscope.com – One of the largest Internet retailers of microscopes in the world
Nature Diagnostics – Performs genetic diagnostics of agriculture products
Novozymes Biologicals – Enzymes for industrial cleaning, odor control, turf/plant health
OcuCure Therapeutics – Ophthalmic eye drops to treat age-related macular degeneration
Pixel Optics – Spectacle lenses for the correction of presbyopia
Plastics One – Cochlear implants, other medical devices
Precision Fabrics – Surgical drapes
ProGenetics – R&D, production of biologically produced therapeutics
Revivicor –Regenerative medicine, R&D of treatments for diabetes and whole organ transplantation (xenotransplantation, stem cells)
Schultz-Creehan – Contract R&D, materials science, and industrial engineering
Smart Perfusion – R&D of organ perfusion and transplant systems
Surgical Tools – Distributor of high-quality German surgical tools
TechLab – Develops, manufactures, distributes intestinal diagnostic assays
Virginia Prosthetics – Custom-made prosthetics and orthotics
Wireless MedCARE – Wireless and web-connected medical devices and applications