Honors select legislators in recognition of their leadership in advancing federal and state policies to promote life sciences research, investment and innovation.

2025 Awardee:

Senator Chuck Hufstetler, 52nd District, Rome

This award celebrates an industry/academic collaboration, or other allied partnership, that demonstrate strength, tenacity, and leadership. Like the mythical phoenix, together they exemplify how strategic partnerships can accelerate discovery, fuel commercialization, and create meaningful impact for patients and communities.

This award is sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Chamber.  

2025 Awardee:

Boehringer-Ingelheim / University of Georgia for the Sustainable Development Excellence Certificate Program 

Presented to a company or institution who has made the most significant transaction of the year (between January 1, 2024-March 31, 2025), a deal that exemplifies strategic vision, market influence, and long-term value creation.  Whether it’s a transformative partnership, acquisition, licensing agreement, IPO, or major funding round, this deal represents a defining moment for the companies involved and a milestone for the state’s biotech ecosystem. 

2025 Awardees:

Andson Biotech (Private Financing), biotools company revolutionizing sample preparation for mass spectrometry workflows, for closing a $3.6M seed round led by industry veterans and expanding from three to ten employees while launching its DynaChip X1 platform into commercial markets.  

Micron Biomedical (Private Financing), for securing $16M to expand manufacturing of its needle-free vaccine delivery technology and advance multiple vaccine candidates toward commercialization.

Moonlight Therapeutics (Private Financing), or closing its first equity round, Series A, co-led by Portal Innovations, to advance its novel intradermal allergen immunotherapy platform for treating food allergies, beginning with MOON101 for peanut allergy.

Synaptrix (Private Financing), a medical device company developing the groundbreaking NOVABLOC™ system for drug-free postoperative pain management, for raising $13M in Series A funding led by Hatteras Venture Partners to support pivotal studies, regulatory submission, and commercialization.

ANI Pharmaceuticals (Acquisition), for its definitive agreement to acquire Alimera Sciences, for $453M, expanding its global footprint and portfolio to three commercial rare disease assets.

Stryker (Acquisition), for its definitive agreement to acquire Artelon, expanding its portfolio of soft tissue fixation solutions for orthopedic surgeons.

Duracell (Economic Development), for selecting Georgia as the site of its new North American R&D headquarters, further strengthening the state’s life sciences and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. 

Presented to a life sciences organization or individual that has demonstrated continuous commitment to making a positive, lasting impact on their local community. This award recognizes organizations/ individuals that go beyond their day-to-day operations through career development initiatives, outreach programs, patient advocacy, corporate philanthropy, or other significant community contribution.

2025 Awardees:

• ARCS Foundation – Atlanta
• Jeffrey Gray, Founder and CEO, AgeTech Atlanta
• Christopher Kunney, Managing Partner and Digital Transformation Strategist, IOTech Consulting, LLC
• Lisa Middleton, Ph.D., Director, Scientific Affairs, Georgia Cancer Center/Augusta University

Presented to an institution, team, or individual whose innovation goes beyond the traditional paradigms and has the potential to significantly impact human health, agriculture, or environmental sustainability.  Eligible innovations may include—but are not limited to—advancements in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, or life science-related AI and data platforms. 

2025 Awardee:

• Myomatrix

Presented to an individual in the first decade of their career whose achievements are significantly contributing to or transforming the life sciences industry. 

2025 Awardee:

Benjamin Siciliano, PhD, Radyus Research 

Presented to a Georgia biotechnology high school teacher who exhibits innovative teaching, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to inspire the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and future leaders in STEM/ biotechnology.

Submission criteria:

• Teaching philosophy and how they incorporate innovation in the classroom.
• Examples of mentorship and support provided to students beyond the curriculum.
• How they foster curiosity, resilience, and leadership in STEM fields.
• Measurable impacts (student success stories, competition results, college/career paths, etc.).

2025 Awardee:

Amanda Barrett, Marietta High School