Georgia Bio, Nationwide Life Science Leaders Unite To Celebrate Continued Investment In Biotech At New York Stock Exchange

Industry leaders from across the country to ring NYSE closing bell and kick off Biotech Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 4, 2024, New York, NY – Georgia Bio, the life sciences trade association in Georgia, joined 16 fellow life science trade organizations from across the country yesterday to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and kick off national Biotech Month. Maria Thacker-Goethe, immediate past chair for the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) and President and CEO of Geogia Bio, was among the leaders in attendance at the event, which was held jointly by NewYorkBIO and NYSE to celebrate the link between investment and innovation to best serve patients nationwide.

Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) Rings The Closing Bell® The New York Stock Exchange welcomes the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), today, Wednesday, January 3, 2023, in celebration of of Biotechnology Month. To honor the occasion, John Conrad, President of Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO), and Maria Thacker Goethe, President of Georgia Bio, joined by Michael Harris, Global Head of Capital Markets, NYSE, rings the Closing Bell®. Photo Credit: NYSE
Photo Credit: NYSE

“I’m honored to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange with the new CSBA chair, John Conrad of iBio,” said Thacker-Goethe. “Joining my colleagues from across the country underscores that collaboration will help us protect and grow the U.S. innovation ecosystem.”

Georgia is poised to be a hub for life sciences. Georgia Bio’s workforce development program guarantees that the State’s workforce will be well-equipped to meet the demands of the expanding life science community. On the investment side, Georgia Bio along with 6 southeast state associations have partnered with Life Science Nation to launch RESI South in Atlanta on March 25. RESI South will mark the first-even life sciences investor event in the region and will connect start-ups and early-stage investors, an opportunity to showcase the state’s numerous investment opportunities.

“Nationwide collaboration is crucial to driving innovation, finding cures, and ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life for patients,” added Jennifer Hawks Bland, CEO of NewYorkBIO. “As the worldwide epicenter for the financial sector, New York is uniquely positioned as a nexus for connecting the biosciences industry with the capital that makes groundbreaking research and development possible. NewYorkBIO is grateful to NYSE for this opportunity to welcome our colleagues from across the country to Wall Street, as we bring new meaning to ‘ringing in the new year’ and kick off Biotech Month.”

The event is one of several ongoing collaborations between NewYorkBIO and NYSE, who work together to connect New York’s robust investor community with innovative life science organizations of all types and sizes.

“We are thrilled to host NewYorkBIO and life sciences leaders from across the U.S. at the NYSE to ring our Closing Bell in honor of Biotechnology Month,” said Michael Harris, Global Head of Capital Markets at the New York Stock Exchange. “As we continue to see growth in the life sciences industry, the NYSE looks forward to welcoming many more biotech companies to our community of icons and disruptors.”

Maria Thacker-Goethe joined the below leaders from life science organizations across the country:

  • Nick Shipley, Chief Advocacy Officer at BIO
  • Michele Oshman, Vice President for External Affairs at BIO
  • Chris Molineaux, President & CEO of Life Sciences Pennsylvania
  • Debbie Hart, President & CEO of BioNJ
  • Jennifer Hawks Bland, CEO, NewYorkBIO
  • Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of Colorado BioScience Association
  • Eddie Pauline, President & CEO of Ohio Life Sciences
  • Jodie Gillon, President & CEO of BioCT
  • John Conrad, President & CEO of Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization
  • Joni Ekstrum, Executive Director of South Dakota Biotech
  • Kelly Schulz, CEO of Maryland Tech Council
  • Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, President & CEO of MassBio
  • Laura Gunter, President of North Carolina Life Sciences Organization
  • Michael Fleming, President of Delaware BioScience Association
  • Mike Guerra, President & CEO of California Life Sciences

First introduced by President Clinton in 2000, National Biotechnology Month is an opportunity for the nation’s biotech community to come together to recognize the industry’s achievements on behalf of patients around the world. Falling in January, the recognition month is also an opportunity for industry leaders to look ahead to the advancements of the upcoming year.

To capture the closing bell on January 3, refer to NYSE’s website: nyse.com/bell/calendar

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 more than 30 years, GaBio has served its members by supporting companies of all sizes, from early-stage innovators and startups to established industry leaders in the fields of 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.

Contact

Jason Rupp, Georgia Bio, jrupp@gabio.org

UGA & Manus Among Awardees in $214M BioMADE Investment

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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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