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

Legal Experts Signal Continued Uncertainty for Life Sciences M&A

By Maria Thacker Goethe • October 22, 2025
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Georgia Life Sciences Launches New Podcast Series, Vitals, in Partnership with Cloudcast Media

October 6, 2025
Atlanta, GA — October 6 — Georgia Life Sciences today announced the launch of Vitals, a new podcast series developed in partnership with Cloudcast Media, a leader in branded podcast production. The series will spotlight the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of Georgia’s rapidly growing life sciences sector. Hosted by Georgia Life Sciences’ CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe, Vitals will feature in-depth conversations with scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, policymakers, and patient advocates. Each episode will explore the challenges and opportunities facing Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem—spanning biopharma, medical technology, digital health, and advanced manufacturing. “Vitals gives us a powerful platform to showcase the remarkable work happening within our state,” said Maria Thacker Goethe. “By sharing these stories, we’re highlighting not only groundbreaking science but also the collaboration and talent that make Georgia such a vibrant hub for health innovation.” Cloudcast Media, known for its expertise in storytelling and high-quality podcast production, will bring industry insights and technical support to ensure the series reaches audiences across Georgia and beyond. “We’re proud to partner with Georgia Life Sciences on Vitals,” said Charles Parisi, Founder and CEO of Cloudcast. “This series will elevate the voices of innovators who are advancing science, improving patient outcomes, and building Georgia’s reputation as a global life sciences leader. We are very excited that Cloudcast Atlanta can play a role in supporting Maria and the impactful work of Georgia Life Sciences.” The first episode of Vitals launched today and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major streaming platforms, as well as through the Georgia Life Sciences website.

BIO Statement on Most Favored Nation Policies

October 1, 2025
September 30, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. – John F. Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released the following statement on Most Favored Nation policies: "For too many years, Americans have subsidized the research and development necessary to bring newer and better medicines to patients around the world. As we saw with defense spending and NATO, the solution is not to weaken a strategically important American industry, but for other countries to pay their fair share. “Today’s announcement in the Oval Office highlights the problems with a drug delivery system where half of the cost of innovative medicines goes to middlemen and distributors, and where the supply chain distorts prices paid by the American people. We support a new framework that addresses the cost of medicines by simplifying the system - and making medicines directly available to patients. “But importing socialist price controls through most-favored nation policies fundamentally does not address the imbalance in international pricing for innovative medicines. MFN will not lower the out-of-pocket prices that most Americans pay for medicines. Even worse, it will jeopardize the entrepreneurial spirit and deter the capital necessary for a vibrant and essential American biotechnology industry to thrive and may cause most harm to small and midsize biotech companies, which are responsible for discovering more than half of all new treatments. “Without these biotech innovators and a free-market system, we risk slower scientific progress, decreased access to new medicines, compromised national security, fewer American jobs and perhaps most tragically, a diminished hope for those suffering with illness and disease. There are much better ways to address this problem than MFN.” ###
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