Georgia Bio Names 2024 Golden Helix Award Winners

Georgia Rep. Mark Newton, Academic Innovators, & Industry Leaders to be Honored at Georgia Life Sciences Summit in October

Georgia Bio, the state’s life science trade association, will honor the 2024 Golden Helix awardees October 21 at the opening reception of the Georgia Life Sciences Summit.

 

The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions and achievements of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to advance the growth of the life sciences industry and foster strategic partnerships that can create a healthier world. Traditionally, awardees are honored each spring at the awards gala, but this year Georgia Bio leadership decided to celebrate at the organization’s largest annual gathering. The Georgia Life Sciences Summit is expected to draw 350+ of the state’s life sciences industry leaders and will kick off with a Georgia Company Showcase highlight the best of the state’s emerging companies. 

 

“The life sciences community strives to improve patients’ lives, reduce our environmental footprint, use less and cleaner energy, and support workforce development, all while growing Georgia’s bioeconomy” said Georgia Bio CEO Maria Thacker Goethe, “The Golden Helix Awards highlights those lasting contributions made by many in the life sciences sector in Georgia.” 

 

Companies being honored with the distinguished Deal of the Year award include: Veranex for the acquisition of leading preclinical services provider T3 Labs; Werfen for the acquisition of transfusion and transplant diagnostics leader Immucor; life sciences manufacturer Meissner’s nearly $250 million investment into a new manufacturing facility in Athens-Clarke County; Dalan Animal Health’s $4.5M series seed 3 funding to accelerate global expansion and product pipeline; Inhibikase Therapeutics’ $10M raise for the development of treatments for Parkinson’s Disease and chronic myelogenous leukemia; Micron Biomedical’s $23.6M from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate commercial manufacturing of their needle-free vaccines; and the NIH grant awarded to Emory, Georgia Tech & Children’s Healthcare to advance diagnostics. The Legislator of the Year Award will honor Georgia Representative Mark Newton of 127th House District for his leadership in sponsoring the rebate pass through bill in 2023, and his overall work on behalf of patients in Georgia.

 

The Metro Atlanta Chamber will present this year's Phoenix Award for life sciences to Wellstar MCG Health. This award celebrates the best industry and academic collaboration. The 2023 union of Wellstar and Augusta University is a move that bolsters healthcare in the region and will advance innovation.

 

The awards were selected by a small, distinguished committee of leaders in the Georgia ecosystem who assessed nominations and transactions closed between January 1, 2023 -December 31, 2023.

 

AWARD WINNERS  

 

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

  • The Honorable Mark Newton M.D., Georgia House of Representatives

 

Phoenix Award:  The Phoenix award represents the iconic "rising from the ashes" of the Phoenix, a symbol of strength, tenacity and leadership and is presented to celebrate the best Industry and Academic collaborations, outstanding healthcare professionals and systems, or other partnerships that drive translation and lead to new treatments and cures. This award is sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Chamber.  

  • Wellstar MCG Health

 

Deals of the Year Awards: Presented to one or more companies or institutions for the most significant financial or commercial transactions closed from January 1, 2022-December 31, 2022, based on the importance of the transaction to Georgia’s life sciences industry.  

 

Acquisitions  

  • Veranex completes acquisition of T3 Labs
  • Werfen completes acquisition of Immucor, Inc.

 

Economic Development

  • Meissner

 

Private Financing 

  • Dalan Animal Health
  • Inhibikase Therapeutics
  • Micron Biomedical

 

Public Financing 

  • Emory, Georgia Tech & Children’s Healthcare land major NIH grant for diagnostics

 

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.  

  • Emily Blum, Global Center for Medical Innovation
  • Ashley Cornelison, Portal Innovations
  • Betty Pace, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University
  • Connor Seabrook, Georgia Research Alliance
  • The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) New Atlanta Regional Office

 

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. 

  • Tom Barrows, ProgenaCare Global - ProgenaMatrix®
  • Jack Huang, University of Georgia - DE-FLUORO

 

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. 

  • Eddie Lai, Metro Atlanta Chamber

 

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.  

  • Emily Gunderson, Empower College and Career Center, Jackson County

 

For a list of past award recipients, click here.  

 

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About Georgia Bio 

Georgia Bio (GaBio) is the state’s most impactful life sciences membership organization, advocating for the sector and its diverse innovation pipeline. For over 30 years, GaBio has served its members by supporting companies of all sizes, from early-stage innovators and startups to established industry leaders in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. GaBio also works closely with universities, academic and research institutions, the investment community, and other critical partners that promote this vibrant sector. GaBio works to shape public policy, improve access to breakthrough technologies, educate lawmakers, provide member programs, strengthens the workforce pipeline, and advance equity within our ecosystem by championing innovative solutions for some of the most pressing challenges of our times. For more information, visit www.gabio.org. 

 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Melissa Carter 

404-920-2043 

mcarter@gabio.org


EIN: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/734167122/georgia-bio-names-2024-golden-helix-award-winners

BIO Statement on the Section 232 Pharmaceutical Proclamation

April 4, 2026
April 2, 2026- WASHINGTON, D.C. – John F. Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) , released the following statement on Section 232 Pharmaceutical Proclamation. “A thriving American biotechnology ecosystem is essential to growing the U.S. economy, strengthening national security, and improving the health and well‑being of everyday Americans. While we appreciate the Administration’s recognition of the need for tariff exemptions for certain critical biotech products, the reality is that any tariffs on America’s medicines will raise costs, impede domestic manufacturing, and delay the development of new treatments - all while doing nothing to enhance our national security. “U.S. biotech companies have been eager to expand investments here at home, but tariffs, along with an uncertain policy environment and efforts to force “most‑favored nation” schemes, work directly against that goal. The risks are especially acute for small and mid‑size biotech companies, which develop more than half of all FDA‑approved medicines yet often lack the capital to build dedicated manufacturing facilities as they weather an industry defined by high costs, long development timelines, and significant risk. “The fact is: tariffs divert scarce resources away from research and development, weaken American biotech against China’s rising industry, and ultimately, harm health and economic wellbeing of Americans. “We stand ready to work with the Administration on a long‑term strategy that encourages biotechnology investment, reduces the time, cost, and uncertainty of developing new medicines, expands U.S. biomanufacturing capacity, and ensures American innovation is fairly valued overseas. Tariffs and MFN are not the answer." Source - https://www.bio.org/press-release/bio-statement-section-232-pharmaceutical-proclamation

Georgia Life Sciences Announces 2026 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge Winner

April 1, 2026
Atlanta, GA (April 1, 2026) – Georgia Life Sciences (GLS) is proud to announce that Saisurya Lakkimsetti, a junior at Lakeside High School in Columbia County, has been named the winner of the 2026 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge. The Georgia BioGENEius Challenge took place, as part of the statewide Georgia Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF) at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. Forty-seven students from across Georgia competed for this year’s title and cash prize. Jaehyeon Lee, an 11th-grade student from Walton High School, was named runner-up in this year’s competition. The Georgia BioGENEius Challenge recognizes outstanding high school students who are conducting innovative biotechnology research with real-world applications. This year’s top projects, presented in the Global Healthcare Challenge track, demonstrated exceptional scientific rigor and forward-thinking potential in addressing critical healthcare challenges. Saisurya’s research focuses on identifying potential inhibitors for Endocan, a protein known to play a role in glioblastoma tumor growth. Using advanced computational modeling techniques—including AlphaFold and molecular docking tools—she screened thousands of small molecules to identify compounds that may block tumor-promoting signaling pathways. Her work identified several promising candidates that could serve as a foundation for future drug development targeting glioblastoma. Jaehyeon’s project investigates how varying glucose concentrations affect regeneration in planaria, modeling impaired wound healing in diabetic conditions. By testing graded glucose environments and measuring regeneration indicators such as growth and differentiation, Jaehyeon demonstrated that lower glucose levels enhance regeneration while higher levels inhibit healing. The study establishes a model to better understand hyperglycemia’s impact on diabetic wound healing. “The work by these students is a powerful example of the innovation and determination we see in Georgia’s next generation of life sciences leaders,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. “The BioGENEius Challenge is critical because it provides students with a platform to apply cutting-edge science to real-world problems, while also strengthening the future workforce that will drive breakthroughs in healthcare, biotechnology, and beyond.” The Georgia BioGENEius Challenge is part of Georgia Life Sciences’ broader commitment to advancing workforce development and fostering innovation across the state’s rapidly growing life sciences ecosystem. Judging the 2026 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge: Ian Biggs; Ralph Cordell, CDC; Alex Harvey, ViaMune; Jamie Graham, Smith Gambrell Russell; and Evan Scullin, LuminiSci.

Georgia Life Science's Feature in Very First Atlanta Edition of Inside Medicine

March 24, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences is thrilled to be featured in the very first Atlanta edition of Inside Medicine . This inaugural issue represents something truly special. Atlanta’s healthcare and life sciences community is driven by innovation, collaboration, and outstanding leadership—and we’re honored to be part of this exciting launch. Also in the issue, GLS's Kennedy Dumas is featured, sharing her journey on how observation and research evolved into a powerful practice of journaling. As the founder of Stationery Black, she creates notebooks designed to showcase, uplift, and inspire people of color. Read the full article here.
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