Cupron is leaving Richmond’s biotech park for Henrico County

After six years at the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park in downtown Richmond, Cupron is moving into a larger space near Richmond International Airport in eastern Henrico County.

The biotechnology company, a startup that developed after finding a way to infuse copper oxide into soft materials such as hospital gowns and linens, said the move would allow for an expansion with more office space and an 11,000-square-foot warehouse.

Cupron recently participated in a 10-month clinical trial at Sentara’s Leigh Hospital in Norfolk with results recently published showing the effectiveness of the copper-infused products in reducing the spread of bacteria in a clinical setting.

“The Research Park has been more than the right partner at the right time in the company's development and growth. The relationships, collaborative space and access to other emerging biotechnology companies have been invaluable, especially as the company transitioned from applied scientific discovery to clinical demonstration,” Cupron’s CEO Chris Andrews said in a statement. “Now, as we transition from clinical to commercial deployment on a broad scale and geographies, Cupron needs to occupy its own commercial space with expanded logistical capabilities.”

Cupron will move from just under 2,000 square feet at the biotech park — an incubator for advanced technology startups offering office space at below-market cost in addition to discounted business services — to a facility with 3,000 square feet of office space and a warehouse.

“We congratulate Cupron as this exciting technology company graduates from the Biotech Park to a 14,000-square-foot commercial facility in the Interport Business Center near RIC airport in eastern Henrico.  Cupron’s copper technology presents tremendous opportunities to improve products in a number of sectors, and we look forward to supporting their growth as they create well-paying jobs and expand their markets,” said John Vithoulkas, Henrico County manager and a board member of The Innovation Council of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park.