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.

Georgia Life Sciences Applauds Congressman McCormick for Introducing Federal Biotech Leadership Legislation

July 24, 2026
July 24, 2026, Atlanta, GA - Georgia Life Sciences applauds Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA) for introducing the Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act , legislation designed to strengthen America's leadership in biotechnology by establishing a senior biotechnology leadership position within the U.S. Department of State. As biotechnology continues to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and national security, the United States must remain a global leader in innovation while strengthening strategic partnerships with allies around the world. The proposed legislation recognizes biotechnology as a critical component of U.S. economic competitiveness and foreign policy and would help ensure that the federal government is well positioned to advance these priorities internationally. The legislation also reflects recommendations from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology , which called for a more coordinated national approach to advancing biotechnology and protecting U.S. leadership in this strategically important sector. "Georgia is home to one of the nation's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems, and policies that strengthen America's global biotechnology leadership directly benefit innovators, researchers, manufacturers, and patients," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "We appreciate Congressman McCormick's leadership in recognizing biotechnology as both an economic engine and a strategic national priority." Georgia Life Sciences looks forward to working with policymakers at both the federal and state levels to advance policies that foster innovation, strengthen the U.S. bioeconomy, and ensure America remains the global leader in biotechnology.

Georgia Life Sciences Names Renee' Martin, Ph.D., Program Manager to Lead Flagship Educator Workforce Development Program

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Georgia Life Sciences Partnership Expands Plant Biotechnology Education for Agriscience Teachers Across Georgia

July 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 16, 2026 ATLANTA, Ga . – Eighteen Georgia high school agriscience teachers recently participated in a hands-on plant tissue culture training at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, equipping educators with biotechnology skills and classroom resources that will expand access to experiential STEM learning for students across the state. Hosted through a partnership led by Georgia Life Sciences (GLS), the workshop was facilitated by Julie Throne, Agriscience Teacher, FFA Advisor, and CTAE Department Chair at Cedar Shoals High School. Participants received practical instruction in plant tissue culture techniques using newly developed portable tissue culture kits generously donated by California-based Athena Ag. Plant tissue culture is a foundational biotechnology technique used in agriculture and plant science research to propagate plants under aseptic conditions. By incorporating these concepts into agriscience classrooms, educators can provide students with hands-on experiences that introduce biotechnology while building technical skills relevant to careers in agriculture and biotechnology. As part of the workshop, each participating teacher received two complete plant tissue culture kits to take back to their school, enabling students throughout Georgia to engage in laboratory-based biotechnology activities and explore emerging career pathways in the life sciences. "Providing educators with access to industry-relevant training and classroom resources is one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of Georgia's life sciences workforce," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "Through partnerships like this, we're helping teachers bring real-world biotechnology into their classrooms while expanding opportunities for students to discover careers in one of Georgia's fastest-growing industries." The training is part of Georgia Life Sciences' broader Teacher Training Initiative, a statewide workforce development program that equips middle and high school educators with the knowledge, tools, and industry connections needed to deliver hands-on biotechnology instruction. Through strategic partnerships with industry, education, and nonprofit organizations, the initiative continues to strengthen Georgia's talent pipeline by connecting classroom learning with real-world workforce opportunities. Georgia Life Sciences extends its appreciation to Julie Throne for leading the training and to Athena for its generous donation of classroom kits, helping expand access to biotechnology education for educators and students across the state.
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