Governor Northam, Mayor Stoney announce sustainable biotech firm to expand operations in Richmond, creating 250 new jobs
Grenova Inc. to invest $10.6 million to increase production of pipette tip cleaning, washing and sterilizing machines
Governor
Ralph Northam today announced that Grenova Inc., a Virginia-based sustainable
biotech firm that designs, develops, and manufactures devices that wash and
sterilize contaminated pipette tips for reuse, will invest $10.6 million to
expand in the City of Richmond. The company will relocate its operations from
Manchester to a larger facility in Scott’s Addition and increase capacity with
new production lines in response to the shortage
of pipette tips used for COVID-19 testing. Governor Northam
joined company leaders at the site of Grenova’s future location at 1900 Ellen
Road to celebrate the project, which will add 250 new jobs over the next
three years.
“We
are thrilled to celebrate this homegrown sustainable biotech firm expanding and
adding to its workforce in Richmond,” said Governor Northam. “It is
remarkable to see Virginia’s innovative life sciences businesses quickly adapt
and respond to critical needs as we fight this pandemic. Grenova is an emerging
industry leader that has achieved exponential growth in a short time, and I
applaud the company for leveraging its technology and expertise to address a
global shortage and reduce environmental waste.”
Founded
in Richmond in 2014, Grenova’s mission is to help lower costs and reduce
biohazard waste by delivering groundbreaking approaches in dealing with plastic
consumables. The company’s product, Tipnovus™ enables laboratories to wash and
sanitize pipette tips for reuse numerous times, cutting associated consumable
costs by up to 96 percent. Ten pipette tips are used to fully conduct one
COVID-19 test, resulting in a worldwide shortage of the plastic consumable.
Grenova’s technology allows healthcare systems to safely wash and reuse the
pipette tips used for testing, which has helped to end pipette tip
shortages and improve access to
COVID-19 testing while making labs more
environmentally friendly. Due to demand
for Grenova’s products, the company has quadrupled in size in the
last year. Grenova sells products from its Richmond facility to laboratories
and distributors across the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia.
“This
expansion project is an important win that will create 250 new, high-quality
jobs and help improve Richmond’s standing as a life sciences hub,” said
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “Grenova is a great success
story for the Commonwealth, and we are confident the region will continue to
provide the business climate and workforce needed for years to come.”
“Our
growth is a sign that the world is ready to rethink, reimagine, and reinvent
the way plastic consumables like pipette tips are washed and reused within the
life sciences industry and beyond,” said Ali Safavi, Founder and CEO of
Grenova. “We’re proud to make our bold solution possible from our
expanded headquarters in Richmond thanks to the Commonwealth’s thriving
ecosystem of world-class talent, resources, and infrastructure.”
The
Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Richmond to
secure the project for the Commonwealth. Grenova Inc. is eligible to receive
state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and funding and
services to support the company’s employee recruitment and training activities
will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“Grenova’s
sustainable solution for lab testing consumable products is a premier example
of how great ideas and ingenuity flourish in the City of Richmond,” said
Mayor Levar Stoney. “The City is thankful for the company’s capital
investment and new job creation. Grenova’s new facility in Scott’s
Addition demonstrates that entrepreneurial and life science ecosystems in
Richmond are strong and continue to have a far-reaching impact.”
“The
expansion of Grenova Inc. is wonderful news for Richmond,” said
Congressman Donald McEachin. “Creating jobs and reducing biohazardous waste
are two critical goals that are good for Richmond and for the Commonwealth.
Once again, Virginia leads the way.”
“I
am so pleased to see Grenova’s expansion to its new and larger facility in
Scott’s Addition,” said Senator Ghazala Hashmi. “Grenova’s introduction
of innovative technologies helps to address the global shortage of pipette tips
during this pandemic and also highlights how we can reduce biohazard waste.
This expansion will bring exciting new jobs opportunities and further talent development
in Richmond.”
“I
am happy to hear that Grenova Inc. will be expanding its operations in the City
of Richmond,” said Delegate Jeffrey Bourne. “The work that the company
is doing to reuse pipette tips is an essential cog in the machine that is our COVID-19
response. Grenova’s presence in Richmond continues to provide important jobs as
well as contributes to Richmond’s status as a place for innovation and growth.”
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