GA Safety Promise Statement from Georgia Bio

Maria Thacker Goethe headshot

Dear Members and Partners,

The Center for Global Health Innovation and Georgia Bio advocate for science, communities, and global health. We believe science must be at the forefront of COVID-19 response and all worldwide health issues.

We believe in science, and we believe in communities. For the businesses who call these communities ‘home,’ science and public health recommendations are more important than ever in helping business owners and essential workers combat COVID-19.

For these reasons, we have signed the Georgia Safety Promise , a statewide public-private partnership that encourages businesses and communities to agree to simple, but critical, measures that will keep communities safe. Our collective knowledge of science shows us that the measures outlined in the Safety Promise are the best way to combat COVID-19 and its impact on our state.

The health and safety of our member companies’ employees is top of mind. We are concerned that any increase in COVID-19 cases in Georgia could impact the important work that the biopharmaceutical and MedTech companies are doing. Georgia companies and institutions have enhanced research and manufacturing capabilities for vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. Our member companies are committed to continuing the important work they do in Georgia, which is critical to our collective success to ultimately have a vaccine and treatment for COVID-19.

We encourage our partners and members to join us in supporting science by signing the Safety Promise. Wearing face coverings, washing your hands, sanitizing surfaces, and staying six feet apart are scientifically proven to reduce transmission of this virus.

I would like to also bring to your attention a new national public health campaign designed to mobilize support for vaccines. The Public Good Projects (PGP) in partnership with BIO launched a national public health campaign called STRONGER —a first-of-its-kind effort designed to combat the spread of vaccine misinformation online.

STRONGER provides a guide for individuals to combat misinformation, explaining how to spot it, and then block, hide, report, or respond to false posts with facts and a list of trusted experts as a resource for good information on vaccines on social media.

For more information, visit www.stronger.org and follow STRONGER on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and YouTube. And don’t forget…follow us in signing the Safety Promise. Follow us in supporting the science.

Sincerely,
Maria Thacker-Goethe
President and CEO
Georgia Bio | Center for Global Health Innovation
Atlanta, Georgia

Investing in America’s Biopharmaceutical Infrastructure Strengthens the Economy and Supports Union Workers

By Maria Thacker Goethe • December 20, 2025
The biopharmaceutical industry is growing America’s manufacturing and R&D capabilities to develop the next generation of treatments. A recent study from PILMA quantified the impact of the industry’s investment in American infrastructure on the economy and union workforce across 18 states from 2019-2024. The study found that across the 18 states included, the biopharmaceutical industry: Supported the American economy by investing $86.5B in R&D and manufacturing infrastructure and developing 1000+ construction projects at over 700 distinct facilities. Strengthened the American workforce by generating $2.6B in skilled union wages and providing $19M in support for union apprenticeships. The impact of the biopharmaceutical industry’s investment in American manufacturing and union jobs extends beyond direct benefits, spurring additional economic activity in the communities where workers live. This is known as the multiplier effect . On average, every $1 of new investment in a U.S. biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities generates an additional $1.59 in further economic activity (2.59x times the initial investment value). The industry’s $86.5B investment in R&D and manufacturing infrastructure has a total economic impact of $224B. Check out this resource to learn more about how biopharmaceutical investment in American infrastructure supports America’s workers and communities. For more on how biopharmaceutical companies are investing in America’s future, visit innovation.org/america-investment .

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.
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