Education And Opportunity Mark Strength Of Atlanta Biotech Industry

A skilled workforce is the engine that will drive growth across America’s biotechnology industry, and Atlanta has built multi-faceted training programs that are developing and sustaining the talent pipeline for everything from advanced laboratory research to industrial biomanufacturing.

March 13, 2026 - Atlanta, Georgia – Today, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) traveled to Atlanta for its second Georgia stop on the Biotech Across America Roadshow. Commissioners Paul Arcangeli, Dawn Meyerriecks, and Dov Zakheim visited a biotechnology workforce training center and a cutting-edge research facility to learn more about the innovation, policy, and the unique opportunities for biotech in Atlanta. Workforce development initiatives were key recommendations in the NSCEB’s April 2025 action plan for Congress to boost the U.S. biotech industry and strengthen national security.

 

“America’s biotechnology leadership will ultimately depend on people as much as technology,” said NSCEB Commissioner Paul Arcangeli. “The Commission’s action plan makes it clear that building and maintaining a pipeline of skilled workers—from the trades to advanced laboratory research—is essential for actually scaling innovation. We have the talent, and in Atlanta, they have the opportunities needed to drive their success.”

 

“Biotechnology has immense job-creating power across the American economy,” said NSCEB Commissioner Dawn Meyerriecks. “Atlanta is a show of force when it comes to biomanufacturing job creation and this formula is repeatable in communities all over the country. These types of jobs will bring growth and prosperity to towns and cities in every state.”

 

“To move discoveries from lab to market, we need a talented workforce prepared to work at the leading edge of biotech innovation,” said NSCEB Commissioner Dov Zakheim. “The opportunities in Atlanta are shaping the next generation of biotechnology innovators and developing a legacy of leadership when it comes to training the future workforce.”

 

“Georgia’s life sciences sector is helping strengthen America’s national security by expanding domestic biomanufacturing capacity, advancing biotechnology innovation, and building a highly skilled workforce,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO, Georgia Life Sciences. “We were honored to host the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology and showcase how Georgia’s collaborative ecosystem—spanning industry, research institutions, and workforce training partners—is driving the next generation of the bioeconomy. The work happening across our state demonstrates how regional leadership in biotechnology directly contributes to national resilience and global competitiveness.”

 

Event Details:

Commissioners first visited the Georgia Bioscience Training Center in Covington. The facility is part of a public-private partnership with the State of Georgia to drive biomanufacturing training opportunities in the region. The center provides customized life science industry training and is helping attract more biotech business to Georgia. Partnerships like this are critical to biotech industry growth and the NSCEB’s research highlights how stronger public-private partnerships contribute not only to industry growth, but to greater innovation and improved economic resilience.

 

In Atlanta, Commissioners visited the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing (CMaT) at Georgia Tech where they met students from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation, and the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) program. Access to the NSF facility and the training opportunities for ARCS participants are transformative advantages for regional biotech businesses.

 

At the end of the day, Commissioners joined a roundtable discussion on Georgia’s biotech ecosystem. Biotech industry leaders, representatives from academia, and state officials discussed how innovation in biotechnology is shaping the future direction of the industry, workforce development, and educational needs. They also discussed state and federal policy issues impacting industry growth both in Georgia and across the country.

 

Participants Included: 

 

  • Accuitis
  • Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation
  • Andson Biotech
  • ArunA Biomedical
  • Emory University
  • Focused Cryo, Inc.
  • Frugal Science Academy
  • Georgia Bioscience Training Center
  • Georgia Department of Economic Development
  • ·Georgia Life Sciences
  • Georgia Life Sciences Institute
  • Georgia Quick Start
  • Georgia Research Alliance
  • Georgia Tech
  • GeoVax
  • Lambert High School iGEM team
  • Micron Biomedical
  • Moonlight Therapeutics
  • NSF Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies
  • Nutrivert
  • Office of U.S. Representative Lucy McBath
  • Soal Therapeutics
  • Takeda
  • TopoDx
  • UCB



Biotech Across America Roadshow 

The Commission is hitting the road to highlight biotechnology across America, including the companies, academic institutions, workforce development programs, and policy initiatives that are driving the future for this rapidly growing industry. Commissioners will continue learning about the work being done across this vibrant ecosystem while engaging on the key findings and recommendations from the Commission’s recent report to Congress. 

 

About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit: biotech.senate.gov. 

 

Contacts: 

NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov 

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Nutrivert announces first close on $6 million Series A-2 funding round

April 17, 2026
April 17, 2026 - Nutrivert Inc., a developer of non-antibiotic replacements for antibiotic growth promoters in livestock, today announced it has completed the first close, raising $2.375 million, of its Series A-2 funding round of $6 million. The round was led by global animal health investor Arrow Ventures with participation from other investors. The funding will be used to further develop Nutrivert’s manufacturing, human food safety and target animal safety and efficacy packages for the company’s lead product Nutrivert LDPP. Nutrivert LDPP is a proprietary, novel, orally available, lipidated synthetic enantiomeric desmuramyl analog of muramyl dipeptide, the smallest conserved immunoactive component of bacterial peptidoglycan. LDPP has no antibacterial effect but has consistently promoted growth and improved feed efficiency in pig studies. LDPP binds to the mammalian NOD2 receptor and is the only NOD2 ligand reported to inhibit the inflammatory signal NF-κB. In pilot studies, LDPP rescued 70kg pigs from an otherwise lethal dose of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and abrogated influenza disease symptoms in piglets. The Company intends to develop LDPP for all major livestock species worldwide. Patents have been granted in most major markets. The global antibiotic growth promoter market is worth an estimated $5.8 billion. Approximately 73% of all antibiotics are fed to livestock. The market is believed to be the world’s largest drug market by volume, with ~100,000 tons of active pharmaceutical ingredient administered annually. FDA’s latest data, for 2024, show a 13% rise in U.S. livestock antibiotic use since 2017. The Food and Agriculture Organization reports that livestock antibiotics are mostly given to speed animal growth. Regulators and non-governmental organizations have called for reduction of antibiotic use in livestock, citing concerns that the global, intensive use of antibiotics, often at subtherapeutic doses, selects for antimicrobial resistance: bacteria that are “immune” to antibiotics and that therefore pose a threat to public health. Spillovers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from livestock to humans have been documented. “Nutrivert LDPP has consistently improved feed efficiency in pigs without antibiotics,” said Bernhard Kaltenboeck, CSO. “We are excited to have the support of Arrow Ventures and our other investors in bringing a new tool that will help producers reduce production costs and reduce selection pressure for antimicrobial resistance.” About Nutrivert LDPP: LDPP is an investigational compound currently undergoing clinical evaluation. It has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or any other global regulatory authority for any indication. The safety and efficacy of LDPP have not been established. Any mention of potential use is based on preliminary data and does not guarantee future regulatory clearance or commercial availability.

USDOL Approves National Biomanufacturing Technician Standards

April 16, 2026
[Seattle, WA] April 15, 2026 – Apprenti, the leading national intermediary for Registered Apprenticeship (RA), is proud to announce the formal approval and filing of the National Biomanufacturing Technician Standards with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Crafted under the strategic guidance of the Apprenti Life Science Advisory Board—which includes leaders from Pfizer, Merck, Thermo Fisher, and Biogen—these standards were developed in close partnership with the Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative (LSWC) and InnovATEBIO as part of a high-impact NIIMBL project. This approval represents a foundational shift for the industry, moving away from a fragmented, state-by-state approach to a scalable, consistent model for developing biomanufacturing professionals at sites across all 50 states. The national standards provide a “plug-and-play” framework that ensures a technician trained in Massachusetts or North Carolina meets the same rigorous, industry-vetted benchmarks as one in Ohio or Missouri. The foundational development of these national standards was informed by existing Life Science RA programs from organizations across the country, including: MassBioEd, Oregon Life Sciences, National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM), BioSTL, Wistar Institute, North Carolina Life Sciences Apprenticeship Consortium (NCLSAC) and others. A National Engine for Talent: The filing of these standards is a cornerstone of NIIMBL’s efforts to strengthen domestic biomanufacturing capabilities and develop the workforce of the future. Beyond the standards themselves, the project is delivering a suite of resources and tools—including a comprehensive Employer Toolkit and specialized screening rubrics—that state-based organizations and employers can leverage to implement RA programming for their most in-demand roles. “These national standards set the stage for a sustainable, skills-first pipeline that mirrors the rigor of the industry’s most complex manufacturing processes,” said Daniel Weagle, Director of Life Science Business Development at Apprenti. “By providing a unified approach, we are empowering national employers to scale their workforce development efforts strategically and accessibly.” The Value Proposition of Registered Apprenticeship For Life Science employers, the Registered Apprenticeship model offers a compelling business case rooted in cost-effectiveness and long-term stability: High Retention: RA programs boast exceptional retention rates—historically as high as 89% to 90%—as apprentices are trained within a company’s specific culture and protocols from day one. Cost Efficiency: Research indicates that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers see an average return of $1.47 in increased productivity and reduced recruitment costs. Inclusive Innovation: The model expands access to untapped talent pools, including non-degreed individuals and career-switchers, ensuring the biomanufacturing workforce reflects the demographics of the communities it serves. As the global biopharmaceutical market is projected to exceed $570 billion by 2032 , this partnership between Apprenti, NIIMBL, and industry leaders ensures that the U.S. workforce is not just prepared for the future of manufacturing, but is actively driving it. This project was developed with an award from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) and financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (70NANB21H086). About Apprenti: Apprenti is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a U.S. Department of Labor recognized Intermediary. Apprenti designs and delivers scalable Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs in high-demand industries. By adapting the proven apprenticeship model, Apprenti helps employers meet workforce needs while training the next generation of skilled professionals. Apprenti’s programs are industry-recognized, federally approved, and supports employers across the country. Since launching in 2015, Apprenti has partnered with employers, government agencies, and education providers to create new apprenticeship pathways. About NIIMBL The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) is a public-private partnership whose mission is to accelerate biopharmaceutical innovation, support the development of industry standards, and educate a world-leading workforce. Media Contact: Dan Maiese, Communications Manager, dmaiese@niimbl.org , 302-831-3824 About the Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative (LSWC) The Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative (LSWC) is a national nonprofit coalition of state, regional and national life science associations and institutes who are working together to build a competitive, and future-ready life sciences workforce. Originally founded in 2012 as the Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes (CSBI), LSWC connects industry, academia, and government partners through data-driven insights, best practice sharing, and collaborative programs. Learn more at www.LifeSciencesWorkforce.org About InnovATEBIO InnovATEBIO is a National Center for Biotechnology Education, working to advance the education of highly skilled technicians for the nation’s biotechnology workforce. Toward this goal, InnovATEBIO provides leadership in biotechnology technician education, including support for development and sharing of best practices and emerging technologies in biotechnology workforce development. Read LSWC's full announcement here.
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