Georgia Bio Names 2020 Golden Helix Award Winners

UCB’s Patty Fritz and Quick Start’s Philip Gibson Honored

ATLANTA–( BUSINESS WIRE )–Georgia Bio, the state’s life science trade association, will celebrate its Golden Helix Awards & Annual Gala on Friday, March 13th at Factory Atlanta in Chamblee. Georgia Bio is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Golden Helix Awards.

Patty Fritz,  Georgia Bio Chair and VP, U.S. Corporate Affairs for UCB, Inc. and  Philip G. Gibson, Ph.D. , Georgia BioEd Institute Chair and Director, Georgia BioScience Training Center at Quick Start are the recipients of the 2020 Industry Growth Awards. The Industry Growth Awards are the highest honors bestowed each year by Georgia Bio.

The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions and achievements of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate and other organizational leaders working to advance the growth of the life sciences industry and foster strategic partnerships that can create a healthier world. The event is expected to draw 300 of the state’s life sciences industry leaders.

“Our life sciences community continues to collaborate and foster innovation to create a healthier world,” said Dr. Christopher McKinney, Chair of the Georgia Bio Awards Committee and Associate VP for Innovation Commercialization at Augusta University. “There has been 121% growth in Life Science patents between 2007 and 2017 and an average of 760 clinical trials starting each year in Georgia. Additionally, more than $780 million venture capital was raised in 2018, mostly going towards drug discovery and therapeutic devices. It is important to recognize the individuals and organizations supporting healthcare innovation and leadership here in Georgia. We look forward to bringing the sector together on March 13th for an evening of networking and celebration.”

Georgia Bio presents awards to individuals and companies in eight categories: Industry Growth; Deals of the Year; Community; Innovation; Emerging Leader; Biotech Teacher of the Year; Legislator of the Year; and the Metro Atlanta Chamber sponsored Phoenix Award. Winners are some of Georgia’s hardest working innovators and entrepreneurs producing advanced medicines, diagnostics and technologies to improve medical care.

Companies being honored with the distinguished Deal of the Year award include:  Alcon  for its  acquisition  of PowerVision;  Aruna Bio  for raising  $13 million  to continue development of therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Huntington’s Disease, and stroke;  Danimer Scientific  for a  $6.5 million  investment from Advantage Capital to boost capacity and significantly increase its workforce in Bainbridge, GA;  Emory Vaccine Center  and the  University of Georgia Center for Vaccines and Immunology  for their  NIH grants  that could exceed $200 million to advance work toward a universal flu vaccine ; Georgia Cancer Center  for their  $6.5 million  grant to improve access to clinical trials for minorities and underserved communities;  Guide Therapeutics  for an initial  equity investment  from GreatPoint Ventures to continue development of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that deliver therapeutics for gene therapy;  Tempus  for its  acquisition  of  AKESOGen ; and  Takeda Pharmaceutical  for its  acquisition  of Shire.

“Golden Helix Award winners showcase the best in innovation and leadership in our community,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO, Georgia Bio. “They are working to improve patients’ lives, support life science workforce development and grow Georgia’s economy. The awards program is a night for our members and community partners to pause and recognize the individuals and companies who are making lasting contributions to the life sciences sector in Georgia.”

AWARD WINNERS

Georgia Bio Industry Growth Awards : Presented to two people who have made an extraordinary contribution to the growth of the life sciences industry in Georgia.

  • Patty Fritz, Georgia Bio Chair and VP U.S. Corporate Affairs for UCB, Inc.
  • Philip G. Gibson, Ph.D., Georgia BioEd Institute Chair and Director, Georgia BioScience Training Center at Quick Start

Phoenix Award : Presented to two Georgia honorees who have forged academic and industry relationships that will drive translation and lead to new treatments and cures. This award is sponsored by the  Metro Atlanta Chamber.

  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta / Georgia Institute of Technology

Deals of the Year Awards : Presented to one or more companies or institutions for the most significant financial or commercial transactions closed from November 1, 2018-December 31, 2019, based on the importance of the transaction to Georgia’s life sciences industry.

Acquisitions 
 Alcon 
Takeda Pharmaceutical 
Tempus and AKESOgen

Private Financing 
 Aruna Bio 
Danimer Scientific 
Guide Therapeutics

Public Financing 
 Emory Vaccine Center 
Georgia Cancer Center 
University of Georgia Center for Vaccines and Immunology

Community Awards : Presented to a small number of individuals, companies or institutions whose contributions to Georgia’s life sciences community are worthy of special recognition.

  • Michael Fisher, Global Center for Medical Innovation
  • Gerresheimer
  • Jayne Morgan, M.D., Piedmont Healthcare
  • Cynthia Sundell, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology
  • University of Georgia Poultry Diagnostic & Research Center

Innovation Awards : Presented to the department, institution, company or individuals who are forging new ground by thinking outside traditional paradigms to create some unique technology.

  • AnemoCheck Platform, Sanguina, Inc.
  • DisasterMed, R6 Industries
  • Micro C, OXOS Medical, Inc.
  • Non-Invasive Technology to Measure Oxygen Delivery & Use in Muscle, Infrared Rx, Inc.

Emerging Leader of the Year Awards : Presented to young individuals who have made a significant impact on the life sciences industry through their studies or employment.

  • Alexa Morse, Global Center for Medical Innovation

Teacher of the Year Award : Presented to a Georgia biotechnology high school teacher who exhibits excellence in STEM teaching and support for the biotechnology pathway.

  • Stan Harrison, Morgan County High School

Legislators of the Year Award : Presented to state legislators for their support of the life sciences industry in Georgia.

  • The Honorable Ellis Black, Georgia State Senate
  • The Honorable Robert Dickey, Georgia State Senate
  • The Honorable Terry England, Georgia House of Representatives
  • The Honorable Jack Hill, Georgia State Senate
  • The Honorable Randy Nix, Georgia House of Representatives
  • The Honorable John Wilkinson, Georgia State Senate

For a list of past Georgia Bio Industry Growth Award recipients,  click here.

ABOUT GEORGIA BIO (GaBio)

Georgia Bio (GaBio)  is the state’s life science advocacy and business leadership industry association whose members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, medical centers, universities and research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of life sciences related products and services. GaBio works closely with industry, government, academia and others to shape public policy, improve access to innovative technologies and grow Georgia’s life sciences economy. Visit GaBio at  www.gabio.org , and follow us on Twitter  @Georgia_Bio ,  Facebook , and  LinkedIn.

Credentialed members of the news media are invited to attend as guests. Please register with Georgia Bio.

UGA & Manus Among Awardees in $214M BioMADE Investment

April 30, 2026
BioMADE Announces $21.4 Million Invested in 14 Projects to Develop the U.S. Bioindustrial Manufacturing Industry and Advance National Security Priorities

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.
MORE POSTS