Georgia Bio Receives Increase in State Funds for Teacher Training Initiative and Reveals Most Recent Impact Numbers

The program has reached 81,413 students and 519 teachers across Georgia.

Atlanta, GA (August 5, 2024) – Georgia Bio’s Biotech Teacher Training Initiative (BTTI), formerly known as the Rural Teacher Training Initiative (RTTI), secured a significant increase in state funding in Georgia’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Total state funding now sits at $500,000. This investment from the state will be matched by industry donations in both cash and equipment, bringing the value of this program to $1+ million. Prior to receiving this increase in funding, the program conducted its fifth year of career-relevant instruction via hands-on teacher learning, impacting nearly 30,000 students and 150 teachers. In its first five years, the program has reached 81,413 students and 519 teachers across Georgia. Going forward, in conjunction with the additional funding and gifts from industry, BTTI will be able expand its operations in the urban areas of the state, impacting even more teachers and students.


This programmatic increase will support several initiatives, including hosting an additional cohort of teachers annually in an urban area where the density of industry sits, such as Atlanta or Augusta, and expanding the Equipment Depot and access to lab equipment. Plans for increased access include opening one satellite science equipment loaning office in Northwest Georgia, developing a shipment option with matching private funding, and potential for another satellite location in South Georgia. Further, funds will be allocated toward collaborating with Southwest Georgia RESA to provide teacher training for new science teachers in areas struggling to fill teacher positions, offer training and career path information for guidance counselors on opportunities in the life sciences, explore curriculum enhancement to include medical devices, and network with existing teachers.  

 

“Georgia Bio is the only organization in the State that offers this type of hands-on training program, complemented with classroom supplies and access to career pathway understanding,” said Maria Thacker-Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Bio. “Investing in improving access to resources for educators can open life changing careers for students and be a boon to Georgia’s economy, and this increase in funding signifies that the State agrees. As the industry continues its rapid growth across the state, our companies need to know there is a workforce pipeline being developed and we help innovatively address that need. I am excited for the future of BTTI and grateful for the support of the State and members of our industry as we endeavor to build upon this program’s value and success.”


“With the explosive growth in biotechnology has come the heightened need for a qualified workforce,” says BTTI Instructor Stan Harrison, also Biotech Pathway Teacher at the Athens Community Career Academy and State Coordinator for the Biotechnician-Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE). “We hear it echoed again and again that companies are struggling to hire and retain qualified production staff and therefore unable to manufacture high demand and often life-saving products. Quality training starts with highly trained secondary teachers who understand industry recognized standards. Georgia Bio’s BTTI provides a host of professional learning workshops and along with the Equipment Depot, a structured means to network and access cutting edge materials for modern lab training.”


BTTI is a public/private workforce development partnership between the life sciences sector and the State of Georgia. Led by Program Director, Megan Heaphy, BTTI offers hands-on, immersive science teacher professional development for Georgia teachers state-wide. Curriculum is built to highlight and leverage the biotechnology that exists within traditional science courses, including biology and AP biology, chemistry and AP chemistry, physics, environmental biology, agriculture and horticulture, physical science, and life science.


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 

May 22, 2026
ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Biomedical today announced the grand opening of its world-class manufacturing facility spanning more than 26,000 square feet in Alpharetta, Georgia. The opening marks the most advanced commercial-scale manufacturing site for Micron’s dissolvable vaccine and therapeutic technology in the world and positions the company for pivotal clinical trials that will accelerate the availability of needle-free vaccines and therapeutics that can be self-administered at home. “A significant body of evidence has shown that our dissolvable microarray technology is as effective as — or more effective than — conventionally injected medicines. Parents, patients, government officials, drug developers, public health leaders, and payers also prefer needle-free vaccines and therapeutics that are simpler and more cost-effective to transport and store,” said Steven Damon, CEO of Micron Biomedical . “Our novel technology requires equally innovative manufacturing equipment capable of scaling production, and this facility brings us one step closer to making that vision a reality.” Micron’s technology uses a dissolvable microarray “button” that is applied directly to the skin and, when pressed, painlessly delivers medications that dissolve in the uppermost layers of skin. The facility houses all of the equipment and manufacturing capabilities to design and produce Micron’s technology at scale including R&D facilities, wet labs, dry labs, storage and professional office spaces. Micron Biomedical’s grand opening ceremony was attended by business leaders, elected officials, investors, members of academia and other stakeholders. Representatives from the CDC were also in attendance as recently the CDC launched its first-ever clinical trial of a needle-free vaccine, evaluating a novel rotavirus vaccine, CC24, delivered via Micron Biomedical’s dissolvable microarray technology. The trial, at Emory University, builds on research, published in The Lancet, about self-administered seasonal influenza vaccine via Micron Biomedical’s dissolvable microarray technology, as well as studies across other disease indications, including measles and rubella . “Georgia is emerging as one of the country’s most important biotech manufacturing hubs, attracting talented scientists, engineers, business leaders and creating exciting economic and professional opportunities for our residents,” said Todd Jones, Georgia House Representative . “With its award winning first-in-the industry technology, Micron Biomedical is among the state’s leaders in simultaneously transforming the health of people around the world with never-before-possible access to medicine and vaccines - and in investing in the workforce of tomorrow with high paying jobs and growth opportunities." This year, published research reinforced consumer preference for microarray technology and Micron Biomedical was recognized as the number two most innovative company in its class by Fast Company for addressing global demand for simplified administration and distribution of vaccines and drugs. The scientific community support includes recent commentary in The Lancet which called Micron’s technology “game-changing in humanitarian settings.” Micron’s technology class has also been identified as the highest global priority innovation for overcoming immunization barriers in low- and middle-income countries by the Vaccine Innovation Prioritisation Strategy (VIPS) Alliance. “This milestone reflects the type of coordinated ecosystem growth outlined in Georgia Life Sciences’ recently released Roadmap for Georgia’s Life Sciences Sector — bringing together industry, startups, manufacturers, educators, investors, and policymakers to strengthen the state’s innovation and manufacturing capabilities,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences , who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. “With this cutting-edge facility, Micron is helping advance Georgia’s position as a national leader in biotechnology, medical technology, and life sciences innovation while reinforcing the state’s role as a scale-up manufacturing hub for the Southeast.” “Ribbon cuttings are always special and momentous events, but this one is especially satisfying because it points to an infrastructure for pivotal clinical trials of technologies being studied at Emory that have the potential to save lives and reduce disease burden by expanding coverage and access to critical medications,” said Christina Rostad MD, pediatric infectious disease associate professor at Emory University and lead investigator of the CD244 trial who provided commentary remotely. “Our team at Emory University is excited to be a part of the celebration and look forward to continuing to explore the potential of Micron Biomedical’s dissolvable microarray vaccine technology.“ About Micron Biomedical Micron Biomedical is the leader in dissolvable microarray-based, drug and vaccine administration technology with a growing pipeline of needle-free versions of previously injectable-only medicines. Micron Biomedical is a clinical-stage life science company on a rapid path to commercializing its proprietary dissolvable, microarray technology. Micron’s technology is designed to improve access and achieve better health outcomes globally through injection-free, painless, and simple and/or self-administration of drugs and vaccines, and by eliminating or reducing the need for cold chain transport and storage, enhancing safety and efficacy, and improving patient compliance. Micron partners with and/or receives funding from private and public entities including pharmaceutical and biotech companies, the Gates Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PATH and the Georgia Research Alliance. For more information visit www.micronbiomedical.com . Press Contact Shira Derasmo M: +1-917-280-2497 E: pr@micronbiomedical.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31153de2-caed-4aa2-b291-ebeed2652b70 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d855a883-fb26-47ce-9831-8ef1e0b93f43 
May 13, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences thanks Dr. Marty Makary for his service as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during a period of significant change across the nation’s health and regulatory agencies.
May 12, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences is pleased to announce Tim Opler as a featured keynote speaker at the 2026 Georgia Life Sciences Summit, taking place August 25-26 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center in Atlanta. A leading voice in biotech investment banking, Tim Opler serves as Managing Director in Stifel’s Global Healthcare Group, where he advises innovative life sciences companies on financing, growth strategy, and market positioning across the healthcare landscape. Tim brings deep insight into the evolving biotech investment environment, emerging industry trends, and the factors shaping the future of life sciences innovation and commercialization. Join us for this timely discussion with one of the industry’s most respected financial leaders as we explore the opportunities and challenges defining the next era of life sciences growth . 
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