VCCRN Hosts Inaugural Virginia Coordinated Clinical Research Summit in Richmond

June 4, 2025

 The 2025 VCCRN Summit Brings Together Leaders from Academic Institutions, Hospitals, and Biotechnology Organizations

RICHMOND, VA – Right now, hundreds of clinical research projects – focused on developing medical treatments for everything from allergies to Alzheimer’s disease – are occurring at institutions across Virginia working on the cutting edge of science and medical innovation.

Leaders and professionals from many of the organizations pursuing those important clinical, biotechnology, and life science efforts in the Commonwealth gathered today in Richmond for the inaugural Virginia Coordinated Clinical Research Summit.

Hosted by the Virginia Coordinated Clinical Research Network (VCCRN) with support from the VHHA Foundation, today’s Summit programming includes insightful keynote presentations and panel discussions oriented around efforts to strengthen collaboration among clinical, academic, and biotechnology and life sciences organizations to accelerate clinical research and trials across the Commonwealth to address health disparities, improve outcomes, and support economic growth.

Featured Summit speakers include a welcome message from City of Richmond Mayor Dr. Danny Avula as well as leaders from Activation Capital, Athari Biosciences, Carilion Clinic, the Central Virginia VA Health System, Jeeva Clinical Trials, Phlow Corp., VCU Health, VHHA, Virginia Bio, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). View the Summit program and agenda here.

“Collaboration across organizations is critical to help unlock new ways to support better health, better access, and better science,” said VCCRN Executive Director Lara D’Antonio. “Virginia is already a leader in the thriving bioscience sector that contributes $8 billion to the state economy, employs more than 26,500 people, and is home to 1,400 life sciences companies. Events like the 2025 Virginia Coordinated Clinical Research Summit help strengthen our alignment and focus as we strategically grow towards a brighter, healthier future.”

The VCCRN was established with initial investment support from the Virginia General Assembly and launched in 2023 as a coalition of health care systems, institutions of higher education, and other organizations. Participating organizations on the VCCRN Advisory Council include Carilion Clinic, Eastern Virginia Medical School, George Mason University, Inova, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, Sentara Health, the University of Virginia, Virginia Bio, Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary. The VCCRN facilitates relationships between these organizations and others across the Commonwealth to create a robust statewide network for research and clinical trials.

About VCCRN: The Virginia Coordinated Clinical Research Network is a multi-stakeholder collaborative effort involving partners from the health care, higher education, and life sciences sectors to leverage, strengthen, and enhance the clinical research footprint in the Commonwealth. VCCRN is guided by an Advisory Council of participating organizations to create a robust statewide network for research and clinical trials. Connect with VCCRN on LinkedIn.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Julian Walker
Vice President of Communications
(804) 297-3193 office
(804) 304-7402 mobile
jtwalker@vhha.com