Celebrating Evolution and Innovation: Our look back at 2023 and ahead to 2024

Maria Thacker Goethe headshot

The life science industry and its innovations are always advancing, always evolving in a never ending quest to address unmet patient and clinical needs. Industry organizations like Georgia Bio may not experience the frequency of flux – driven in large part by new technologies – as the members and partner entities we serve, but when significant change is needed, we are committed to swift action.

Such was the case earlier this year when Georgia Bio returned to our core mission and re-established our independence as a 501(c)6 advocacy organization from the Center for Global Health Innovation. From our November 1st announcement, “The ‘re-emergence’ of Georgia Bio is an industry demand-driven development. Academic and industry life science leaders have told us directly that they need a strong advocacy organization around which to engage with each other and advance their priorities. Those industry leaders are also prepared to provide the financial support required for Georgia Bio to be the entity that provides those services.”

What other accomplishments can we as an organization and industry celebrate from 2023 and what do we look forward to in 2024? 

The Rural Teacher Training Initiative, a program administered by our BioEd Institute, launched its fifth year in September. RTTI provides hands-on, immersive science teacher professional development for rural Georgia teachers. Curriculum is built to highlight and leverage the biotechnology that exists within traditional science courses, including biology and AP biology, chemistry and AP chemistry, physics, environmental biology, agriculture and horticulture, physical science, and life science.

GIS Workshop participants

Funded by the State of Georgia, we have reached more than 52,000 students in 87 counties across the state through 370 educators who have participated in the program since its inaugural year, 2019. 70% of these educators and students teach and learn in Title I schools. 

RTTI 5.0 will have a Fall Training series followed by Spring Training Series. The Fall Series is virtual, live, hands-on, and will take place over four, two-hour sessions. Participants will be sent supplies to engage and practice during each session.


Back to the Summit!
Our Innovation Summit returned, this time hosted by our friends in Sandy Springs, bringing together more than 300 of our industry, advocacy and higher ed colleagues. Check out the highlights in our recap posts including BIO Board Chair Ted Love’s keynote, venture funding and AI & medtech sessions.

BioReady Communities logo

As part of the program, we celebrated Johns Creek and its certification as a BioReady Community, the first municipality in Georgia so designated. As just the second state in the country to formally adopt such a program, the BioReady Communities program will allow Georgia’s municipalities to showcase biotech-zoned science parks, streamline permitting, build a robust infrastructure, and identify biotech-friendly sites more effectively in the interest of attracting companies interested in relocating. Read more.

How about “Southeast Venture Investment”

In the interest of serving the life science ecosystem beyond our historic focus on pharma, ag tech, legislative affairs, education and workforce development, we worked closely with Life Science Nation to create and confirm RESI South. (In a peek behind the curtain, bringing these opportunities to the ecosystem don’t happen in a vacuum. It took the collective team six months to make the upcoming event opportunity real.)

RESI South 2024 banner

“Dennis Ford, CEO of Life Science Nation [stated], ‘I have seen firsthand the incredible opportunities abounding in the Southeast U.S. with a plethora of colleges, universities, and hospitals, fostering life science research and development. This is combined with an amazing array of incubators, accelerators, regional and governmental entrepreneurial programs, and world-class Bio Clusters supporting startups across all phases of development. LSN’s global partnering network wants to tap into these seven states’ technological and innovative firepower.’” The in-person piece of RESI South is March 24 at the Whitley Hotel in Atlanta. Follow Life Science Nation(and this space) for additional details.

Speaking of next year… 

One of our top priorities for 2024 will be supporting our industry colleagues and patient advocacy groups. As we wrote recently, “Americans want policymakers to see lowering out-of-pocket costs for health care as a top priority. Putting pharma and its innovators who invest billions of dollars in R&D for therapies that improve outcomes and save lives in villainous crosshairs is easy to understand and politically expedient, but misguided.

“In 2021, West Virginia became the first state in the nation to adopt ground-breaking legislation related to drug pricing and PBM transparency. The State of Georgia is considering HB343 in its upcoming legislative session, requiring insurers and their PBMs to share the savings they negotiate on medicines directly with patients.”

It is likely more states will consider similar legislation. In this “environment,” it has never been more important for pharma to clearly communicate the value of its therapies or to deliver those therapies with great efficiency.

You can learn more about how we support the industry through legislative affairs by reading out Legislative Watch publication that we issue during GA Session. Take a look at our policy priorities, including support for academic research institutions within the University System of Georgia that feed industry innovation here.

New Digs!

A big thank you to Eversheds Sutherland and Bill Warren for “hosting” our offices for the past seven years, Georgia Bio is now seeking a new home for 2024. Have space? Interesting in sharing? Contact Maria!

Telling our story

Mainstage at the GA Life Sciences Summit

During his Summit keynote, Dr. Ted Love emphasized the importance of ‘taking back our narrative’ as it relates to the beating pharma cos have taken in the drug price debate. Georgia Bio will endeavor to follow that lead by developing and sharing more content featuring our members, our partners, industry, advocate, legislative and education in the coming year. Our collective work matters to patients, to business, to our state and local economic growth and we intend to make sure the importance of that work, and its outcomes, is well known.

If you have a story you’d like to share or help tell, we welcome your ideas. Email admin@gabio.org.

Organizationally, we are adding three new committees to our roster: business strategy, medtech (as mentioned in our November 1 missive), and innovation and entrepreneurship. One of the innovation and entrepreneurship committee’s charges will be to support venture events and young company pitch events throughout the state. We are also preparing to launch a new “Fellows Program” which offers companies the opportunity to access Georgia Bio’s extensive services, benefits, and network to help them grow. The program offers a three-year membership providing early-stage life science, biotech, and medtech companies full access to the complete Georgia Bio portfolio of benefits, including the Georgia Bio purchasing consortium and discounted access to seminars, conferences, and networking events. 

Again, we encourage you to get in touch with insights on events, organizations, young companies or investors with whom we should be in touch or aware.

In closing: a few asks

We are a member-driven and funded organization. As such, we need your help to not only ensure you and your organization’s membership is accounted for in forward-facing budgets, but also to communicate our value and share our stories encouraging others to become members.

We commit to listening closely to our members and partners to best understand how we can deliver value for your membership and/or sponsorships in events like the Summit.

A few recommendations:

  • To our large institutions and enterprises: engage locally, keep a close eye on the Georgia legislative session and stay in touch. We are working to advance your mission in innovation and health. 
  • Smaller companies including life science startups of all disciplines: get engaged with our new committees, participate in the Business Solutions program to save money on everything from lab supplies to shipping, watch for RESI South registration details and jump in!
  • To all, ask about our new sponsor packages.
  • Patient advocates: help us help you tell your (our) story. Get in touch and we can add your story to our patient blog.
  • Higher ed colleagues: Assign faculty to directly engage with us regularly, especially for innovation inclined faculty. Because a huge portion of successful life science innovation that becomes commercially available is born in academic settings, our relationship with and advocacy for industry is more closely tied to your mission and success that you might think.
  • For all, engage with us on social media!

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! Look out for an announcement of our 2024 Board of Directors in the new year.

The Georgia Bio team wishes you joyful, safe and restful holidays, and a healthy, prosperous new year.

If you’re not already doing so, we encourage you to register for our weekly newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn.

Attendees at BioSpark event

Georgia’s MedTech Momentum: Building on Growth and Strengthening Our Innovation Ecosystem

October 29, 2026
New Hypepotamus feature explores Georgia’s growing MedTech sector and opportunities to strengthen startup development, commercialization, and long-term industry growth Georgia’s life sciences industry is experiencing significant growth, fueled by major investments, expanding research capabilities, and an increasingly connected innovation ecosystem. From biotechnology and medical devices to diagnostics and digital health, the state continues to demonstrate its potential as a destination for life sciences innovation. As Georgia builds on that momentum, an important opportunity is emerging: ensuring that the startups and technologies developed here have the resources and support to grow, scale, and remain in the state. A new Hypepotamus feature, “Atlanta’s MedTech Momentum Faces a Test: Can Startups Stay and Scale?” , by Maija Ehlinger, explores this next phase of ecosystem development. Featuring perspectives from entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, including Georgia Life Sciences President & CEO Maria Thacker Goethe, the article examines how Georgia can build on its existing strengths while addressing challenges facing emerging companies. A Strong Foundation for Continued Growth Georgia has made substantial progress in establishing itself as a competitive life sciences hub. Recent major investment announcements, including UCB’s planned $2 billion biologics manufacturing facility in Gwinnett County and Shriners Children’s planned investment of more than $153 million in a research institute at Science Square, reflect continued confidence in the state's capabilities and potential. The state also benefits from a strong network of research universities, healthcare systems, entrepreneurial support organizations, and innovative companies developing technologies that have the potential to improve patient care and advance medical discovery. Programs and facilities such as Georgia Tech's ATDC, BioSpark Labs, and other regional innovation resources provide important support for emerging companies, helping entrepreneurs move promising ideas toward commercial application. These assets represent a strong foundation for future growth. Addressing the Needs of a Maturing Ecosystem While Georgia's industry continues to advance, emerging MedTech and biotechnology companies face challenges that extend well beyond the state. A changing investment environment, increasingly complex commercialization pathways, and demand for specialized infrastructure are reshaping how early-stage companies develop and grow. The Hypepotamus article highlights some of these pressures, including the recent closure of Portal Innovations' Atlanta location and the challenges startups encounter in securing affordable laboratory space, early-stage capital, and industry connections. These developments underscore the importance of strengthening the support systems that enable innovation. They also reflect a broader opportunity for Georgia to build on its progress and ensure that companies at every stage of development can access the resources they need. “Our biggest opportunity is to become as good at growing and retaining life sciences companies as we are at attracting major investments,” said Thacker Goethe in the article. A Roadmap for Georgia’s Next Chapter This focus on growing and retaining innovative companies is central to Georgia Life Sciences' 10-year strategic roadmap , which outlines priorities to strengthen the state's life sciences ecosystem and long-term competitiveness. The roadmap recognizes that continued industry growth requires a coordinated approach to commercialization, access to capital, specialized infrastructure, workforce development, and partnerships across academia, industry, healthcare, and government. For early-stage companies, those connections are especially important. Access to research facilities, clinical partners, experienced mentors, investors, and manufacturing resources can make the difference between a promising discovery and a successful commercial enterprise. Through its industry councils, strategic partnerships, and ecosystem initiatives, Georgia Life Sciences is working to help strengthen these connections and support the development of an environment where companies can succeed at every stage of growth. Turning Momentum into Long-Term Opportunity Georgia's life sciences story is one of substantial progress and considerable opportunity. The next chapter will require building on that success with the same intentionality that has helped attract major industry investments and expand the state's research and innovation capabilities. That means continuing to support companies choosing Georgia for major investments while also strengthening the pathways that allow homegrown businesses to develop, commercialize, and scale here. The goal is not simply to attract life sciences innovation to Georgia, but to ensure Georgia is a place where innovation can take root, grow, and thrive. The Hypepotamus feature offers a timely perspective on the opportunities ahead and the importance of continued collaboration across Georgia's life sciences community.  Read the Full Hypepotamus Article

Georgia Bioscience Industry Reaches 42,605 Jobs, Contributing $1.5 Billion in Venture Capital Investment

October 28, 2026
New national report highlights Georgia’s growing bioscience workforce, research enterprise, and investment activity October 28— Georgia’s bioscience industry continues to expand its economic footprint, supporting 42,605 jobs across 4,281 business establishments statewide in 2025, according to a new report examining the economic impact of the U.S. bioscience industry. The U.S. Bioscience Economy: Advancing Innovation and Strengthening States and Regions, published by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the Council of State Bioscience Associations, and TEConomy Partners, provides a comprehensive assessment of the bioscience industry’s contributions to employment, wages, business growth, university research and development, and access to capital across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Georgia’s bioscience employment grew 7.6% between 2021 and 2025, slightly outpacing national growth. The state recorded employment gains across all five major bioscience industry subsectors, demonstrating the breadth of its life sciences economy. “Georgia’s bioscience industry is an important contributor to our state’s economic competitiveness, creating high-quality jobs and advancing research and innovation,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. “These findings underscore the opportunity to build on Georgia’s strengths by strengthening connections among research institutions, industry, investors, and workforce partners to help more life sciences companies innovate and grow here.” Georgia’s Bioscience Industry: Key Findings The report highlights several indicators of Georgia’s bioscience industry strength: 42,605 jobs: Georgia’s bioscience industry employed more than 42,000 people in 2025, with employment growing 7.6% from 2021 to 2025. 4,281 business establishments: Bioscience companies and related businesses operate across the state, contributing to Georgia’s diverse economic base. $112,712 in average annual wages: Bioscience industry wages exceeded Georgia’s private-sector average by 52%, highlighting the sector’s contribution to high-value employment. $2.0 billion in university bioscience research: Georgia universities conducted $2.0 billion in bioscience-related research and development in fiscal year 2024. $789.5 million in NIH funding: Georgia institutions received $789.5 million in National Institutes of Health funding in fiscal year 2025. $1.5 billion in venture capital investment: Georgia bioscience companies attracted $1.5 billion in venture capital from 2021 through 2025. Georgia’s bioscience distribution subsector, the state’s largest, expanded employment by 10.3% during the period. Agricultural feedstock and industrial biosciences recorded the fastest percentage growth, reflecting the breadth of activity across the state’s bioscience economy. National Industry Impact Nationally, the U.S. bioscience industry generated $3.19 trillion in total economic output and directly employed 2.31 million Americans across more than 156,000 business establishments. The report examines the industry's economic footprint and the factors that support its continued growth, including research investment, workforce development, and access to capital. Building on Georgia’s Life Sciences Momentum The findings highlight Georgia’s substantial research enterprise, established industry base, and ability to attract investment. Continued growth will depend on strengthening the connections that help translate scientific discoveries into commercial opportunities, expand access to capital, develop a skilled workforce, and provide the infrastructure companies need to scale. Georgia Life Sciences works to advance the state’s life sciences ecosystem through policy and advocacy, workforce development, industry convening, and strategic collaboration. Its statewide roadmap, Pathways & Partnerships: A Roadmap for Georgia’s Life Sciences Sector, outlines a long-term vision for positioning Georgia as a leading scale-up manufacturing hub in the Southeast. “Georgia has significant assets across research, manufacturing, workforce, and logistics,” Goethe said. “By coordinating these strengths and addressing the gaps that can limit company growth, we can create more opportunities for innovation, investment, and long-term economic impact across the state.” Read the Report The full report, The U.S. Bioscience Economy: Advancing Innovation and Strengthening States and Regions, and Georgia’s state-specific profile are available from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Explore the national report and findings Download Georgia’s state profile (PDF)

Georgia Life Sciences Connects 23 Educators with Industry and Research at Savannah Regional Teacher Training Workshop

October 22, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences connected 23 educators with hands-on STEM learning and industry experts at its Savannah workshop to strengthen the workforce pipeline.
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