Georgia Life Sciences Designates City of Atlanta as Newest BioReady® Community
Georgia Life Sciences Designates City of Atlanta as Newest BioReady® Community
ATLANTA – February 20, 2025- Today, Invest Atlanta announced, the city of Atlanta has been designated a BioReady Gold Community by the state’s leading life sciences membership organization, Georgia Life Sciences. To receive this distinction, communities must meet certain criteria related to zoning practices and infrastructure capacity. This distinctive honor was presented today during Invest Atlanta’s February board of directors meeting.
“We are proud to recognize the City of Atlanta as a BioReady site, as much of our life sciences ecosystem is built around the state’s capital city,” said Maria Thacker-Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. “Through this program, we champion communities that have made a commitment to growing the life sciences industry, helping to distinguish the state with not only a significant presence of leading biopharma companies and startups, but also with robust funding opportunities to fuel growth, and a collaborative environment with access to resources and infrastructure.”
The BioReady rating system rates communities in three tiers from Bronze to Silver to Gold. Through these BioReady ratings, Georgia Life Sciences allows local municipalities to better showcase biotech-zoned science parks, streamline permitting, build a robust infrastructure, and identify biotech-friendly sites more effectively, making them a desirable choice for real estate developers and biotechnology companies seeking destinations to locate.
“We are thrilled to witness our city being recognized as a BioReady Gold Community, a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability in the life sciences,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. This acknowledgment not only highlights our readiness but also paves the way for future growth and collaboration in the bioscience sector. This designation affirms Atlanta’s readiness to support biotech companies and reinforces our position as a hub for scientific innovation.”
“According to BioSpace, the global life sciences market is valued at $13.72 billion and is projected to reach $26.63 billion by 2033,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. Earning BioReady Gold status strengthens our efforts to attract and retain biotech and life sciences companies. With the Life Sciences workforce expected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032, this recognition reinforces Invest Atlanta’s commitment to biotech and life sciences, giving companies confidence in our support and resources.”
For more information about this recognition visit, BioReady Communities.
About Georgia Life Sciences
Georgia Life Sciences, founded in 1989, is a non-profit, membership-based organization that promotes the interests and growth of the life sciences industry. It is the state’s largest and most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization working to improve access to innovative discoveries that have lifesaving impact. The association connects business, academia, government, and other allied entities involved in the application of life sciences products to fuel growth and collaboration through policy development, community programs, national industry initiatives, and a portfolio of educational and networking events. Learn more at www.galifesciences.org.
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., to lead its Teacher Training Initiative, advancing educator workforce development and Georgia's future life sciences talent pipeline.
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.
