May 3, 2002

Virginia biotech park welcomes global leader in forest biotechnology

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By Robert Skunda
Virginia Biotechnology Research Park

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Biotechnology Research Park (VBRP) is pleased to announce that CellFor Inc., a global leader in forestry-related biotechnology, has become the park’s newest tenant. CellFor joins more than 30 biotechnology and bioscience companies and research institutions that call VBRP home.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with research and production facilities on nearby Vancouver Island, CellFor serves many of the world’s leading forest companies. CellFor views the U.S. Southeast as a key strategic market for its superior conifer seedlings and for future applications of advanced biotechnology within the forest industry.

Timothy G. Staub, CellFor’s president and chief operating officer, will be based at the company’s new offices in the Biotech One building at VBRP.

Staub has a broad management background in microbiology, biotechnology and specialty chemistry with Monsanto, Olin and 3M. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University and a B.S. in industrial management from the University of Illinois. He managed Sampson Coatings in Richmond prior to joining CellFor earlier this year

"The Virginia Biotechnology Research Park is a natural for CellFor because of its proximity to our core market in the southeast U.S. and because of its clear leadership and commitment to biotechnology and business development," Staub said. "Our presence here makes us part of one of the most vibrant groupings of biotechnology innovators found anywhere in the world."

"CellFor is another example of the VBRP’s ability to attract leaders in all aspects of biotechnology," said VBRP President and Chief Executive Officer Robert T. Skunda. "Part of our growth strategy is to attract companies from outside our region and outside the country. CellFor’s decision to make Virginia its U.S. base of operations tells us that strategy is sound."

CellFor is the world’s leading producer of superior conifer seeds and a pioneer in the commercial application of advanced technologies to the $750 billion global forest industry. Through its patented somatic embryogenesis (SE) propagation technology, CellFor can produce genetically selected seeds more quickly, more dependably and in greater quantities than is possible with traditional tree breeding practices.

CellFor’s seeds can deliver improvements in forest productivity that are two to three times greater than those possible through traditional tree breeding methods. The company’s current and future products provide a broad range of commercial, economic, environmental and social benefits, including enhancing the contribution that managed forests make to native forest conservation.


About VBRP

The Virginia Biotechnology Research Park is a joint initiative of Virginia Commonwealth University, the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia, located adjacent to VCU’s medical campus in downtown Richmond. The park is master-planned for more than 1.9 million square feet of research and development space and eventually will employ more than 3,000 researchers, scientists, engineers and technicians. Currently, the park is home to 35 biotechnology companies, four VCU research institutes, four state laboratories and several not-for–profits. The seventh and eighth buildings are under construction, and occupancy is set for early 2003. The park is also home to the Virginia Biosciences Development Center, which was established by the park’s Board of Directors to provide business consulting, support and planning services for seed and early-stage bioscience companies in order to further ensure their success and viability.