40 Under Forty 2019 nomination for Georgia Bio’s Maria Thacker-Goethe

We are delighted to announce that Maria Thacker-Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Bio and Executive Director of Georgia Global Health Alliance, has been selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as a 40 Under Forty 2019 honoree. More than 400 nominations were submitted this year and her professional and personal accomplishments secured her place alongside other prominent Atlanta leaders.

Below are a few of her many accomplishments:

  • Named the President & CEO of Georgia Bio in 2019 and affiliated for 13 years
  • Became the launching Executive Director for the Georgia Global Health Alliance in 2016
  • Secured state funding to expand the Georgia BioEd Institute rural teacher training initiatives
  • Leading health ecosystem collaboration and expansion through Global Health ATL
  • Serves on the boards for CJD Foundation, Southeast BIO, Southeast Medical Device Association, and Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes
  • 2019 Recipient of the Metro Atlanta Chamber Phoenix Award
  • 2009 Recipient of the Power 30 Under 30 Awards
  • 10 years with the Junior League of Atlanta: Chair for the La Amistad Estrellitas and Wellspring Living programs

Maria is passionate about her work and community – all while making time for her 2-year old daughter Cecilia and her husband, Patrick. We thank her for championing the efforts to make Georgia’s Life Sciences and Public Health industries known throughout the state, nationally and globally.The honorees will be celebrated at an evening awards event on Nov. 7, 2019, at The Fairmont, 1429 Fairmont Ave. NW, in Atlanta.

Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Coalition Urging Congressional Action on Key Innovation Policies

December 10, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences has joined 43 state and regional life sciences organizations in signing a national Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) letter calling on Congress to take immediate action on three bipartisan policy priorities that are essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation and supporting patients nationwide. With Congress back in session and several critical programs at risk of expiring, the letter urges congressional leaders to advance the following provisions without delay: 1. Reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) Program The PPRV program has been instrumental in incentivizing the development of therapies for children with rare and life-threatening conditions. Its lapse threatens to slow or halt research that families across the country are counting on. 2. Extend the SBIR/STTR Programs The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide crucial early-stage capital for emerging biotech and medtech companies—many of them in Georgia. Without reauthorization, hundreds of innovative small businesses face uncertainty, jeopardizing new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies in the pipeline, 3. Advance PBM Transparency Reforms Greater transparency and accountability within pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices are needed to ensure that savings reach patients and employers. Reforming PBM operations is essential to strengthening access and affordability across the healthcare system. A Unified Message from the Life Sciences Community The sign-on letter reflects broad, bipartisan alignment across the national life sciences ecosystem: researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, patient advocates, and state associations all share a common message— these programs underpin America’s global competitiveness and are vital to patients who rely on continued scientific progress. Georgia Life Sciences has shared the letter with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation and will continue engaging with policymakers to emphasize the importance of swift action.

GLS Joins Georgia Partners in Calling for Federal PBM Reform

December 7, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences is proud to stand with patient advocates, providers, and employers across the state in urging Congress to take meaningful action on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. We recently signed on to a joint letter to Georgia’s Congressional Delegation stressing the urgent need for transparency, fair practices, and policies that ensure savings flow directly to patients.

GLS’ President and CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe in December's issue of Georgia Trend

December 4, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences’ CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe shares her perspective on the value of Georgia’s research universities in this month’s issue of Georgia Trend. “Georgia research institutions have felt a very significant impact from the federal rollbacks, specifically in NIH and NSF funding. Thacker Goethe’s message about the impact of research cuts is simple: Disruption shatters the foundational trust researchers have in grant continuity….” To read the full article, click here .
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