Georgia Life Sciences Partners with U.S. Chamber Foundation to Bring Real-World Innovation to Georgia Classrooms

Georgia Life Sciences Partners with U.S. Chamber Foundation to Bring Real-World Innovation to Georgia Classrooms

60 + high school students tackle real industry challenges through national EPIC program


July 7, 2025

ATLANTA – Georgia Life Sciences (GLS) has successfully completed its first collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) program, bringing hands-on, real-world learning into Georgia classrooms and spotlighting the state’s growing leadership in workforce innovation.

 

Through this groundbreaking initiative, GLS developed and piloted three challenge-based projects designed to spark student interest in the life sciences:

  • Navigating Medical Device Regulatory Pathways
  • Innovative Solutions in Food Production
  • Automated Biomanufacturing

 

Over 60 high school students across the state formed 12 teams to tackle these challenges, working directly with industry volunteer mentors to co-design creative solutions. All participants earned credentials for their work, demonstrating not only career awareness but real-world readiness for Georgia’s growing bioscience sector.

 

One standout team—composed of homeschool students from the Georgia Black Home Educators Network (GBHEN), sponsored by Blue Heron Urban Farm and Sanctuary—was selected to present at the EPIC National Convening on June 24 in Washington, D.C., hosted at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The team shared their innovations in sustainable food production, highlighting the role of student ingenuity in solving global challenges.

 

“This program gave students a window into the real world of biotech, medical devices, and agtech,” said Dr. Phil Gibson, Executive Director for the Georgia Life Sciences Institute. “It also gave our industry partners a powerful new way to engage with the future workforce—and even shape it.”

 

EPIC, launched by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, is redefining the connection between business innovation and workforce development by giving students access to real problems, real collaboration, and real career exposure.

 

This effort is part of Georgia Life Sciences’ broader mission to build a sustainable talent pipeline in the life sciences—from classroom to career. Through initiatives like this partnership with the Us Chamber Foundation and the public/private partnership with Georgia’s Department of Education, the Biotech Teacher Training Initiative (BTTI), GLS provides immersive, standards-aligned professional development for Georgia educators to bring modern biotech concepts and techniques into biology, chemistry, agriculture, and environmental science classrooms statewide.

 

Why It Matters

As Georgia’s life sciences industry continues to grow, workforce demand is outpacing supply. Programs like EPIC play a vital role in bridging that gap by increasing industry awareness early in the pipeline. Building student familiarity with bioscience careers—and connecting them with real industry mentors—is essential to strengthening Georgia’s long-term competitiveness in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and global health innovation.

 

About Georgia Life Sciences

Georgia Life Sciences is the statewide association advancing the life sciences ecosystem through policy advocacy, economic development, workforce initiatives, and industry-led innovation. From breakthrough biomanufacturing to patient access, GLS is committed to making Georgia a leader in global health and biotechnology.

Georgia Life Sciences Urges Protection of Patient Access as Georgia Implements Medicaid Changes

September 14, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences has submitted comments to the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) regarding the Georgia Pathways to Coverage program and implementation of new federal Medicaid requirements. As Georgia prepares for these changes, Georgia Life Sciences is urging state leaders to prioritize continuity of care and minimize unnecessary administrative barriers that could delay or disrupt access to medically necessary treatment . This is particularly important for Georgians living with serious, chronic, rare, and medically complex conditions who may rely on ongoing medications, diagnostics, therapies, medical technologies, specialty care, and coordinated treatment plans. Even temporary disruptions in coverage can interrupt care and create additional challenges for patients and families. In its comments, Georgia Life Sciences encouraged DCH to protect continuity of coverage during eligibility and redetermination processes, provide patients and caregivers with clear and timely information, minimize unnecessary administrative burdens, and establish appropriate safeguards when a coverage disruption could interrupt an established course of treatment. “As Georgia implements these new federal requirements, we want to ensure that patients remain at the center of the process,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, MPH, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. “Administrative changes should not become barriers between patients and the care they need. Protecting continuity of care is particularly important for Georgians managing serious and complex health conditions.” Read Georgia Life Sciences’ full comments to DCH here.

White House Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Deal with Nine Additional Pharmaceutical Manufacturers to Lower Drug Prices for Americans

August 31, 2026
The White House, August 31, 2026 - ADVANCING MOST-FAVORED-NATION (MFN) PRICING: Today, President Donald J. Trump announced nine new agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers to lower prescription drug prices for Americans in line with the lowest prices paid by other developed nations (known as the most-favored-nation, or MFN, price). The agreements bring the total number of pharmaceutical manufacturers with MFN deals to 26, covering 89% of the branded drug market. The nine manufacturers are comprised of mid-sized pharmaceutical companies, including Alcon, Astellas Pharma, BeOne Medicines, BridgeBio, CSL, Kyowa Kirin, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and UCB. The agreements reduce prices on drugs that treat numerous costly, chronic, and even rare diseases, including hemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, liver disease, skin conditions, and various forms of cancer. The agreements will provide every State Medicaid program in the country access to MFN drug prices on products made by the nine companies, resulting in billions of dollars in savings for Americans and continuing President Trump’s historic efforts to strengthen the program for the most vulnerable. The agreements ensure foreign nations can no longer use price controls to freeride on American innovation by guaranteeing MFN prices on all new innovative medicines the nine companies bring to market. Each of these manufacturers has agreed to fundamentally rebalance international drug pricing by providing MFN pricing to American patients. BOLSTERING AMERICA’S PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND RESERVES: These nine pharmaceutical manufacturers committed to invest at least $19.6 billion collectively in U.S. manufacturing in the near term. Additionally, as part of the MFN agreements, several companies are donating active pharmaceutical ingredients for key products to the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve (SAPIR) to reduce reliance on foreign nations and ensure the United States has an adequate supply of such products in the event of an emergency. UCB will contribute 163 tons of levetiracetam, an anticonvulsant used to control and prevent certain types of seizures, to the SAPIR. Sun Pharma will contribute 71.4 tons of clindamycin and 6.75 tons of doxycycline; both antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, to the SAPIR. Teva Pharmaceuticals will contribute 45 metric tons of metronidazole, an antibiotic and antiprotozoal used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections, and 4.8 tons of amlodipine, an antihypertensive drug, to the SAPIR. Astellas will contribute 25 kg of tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection in people who have had organ transplants, to the SAPIR. LOWERING COSTS FOR AMERICANS: President Trump’s decisive and historic actions are lowering drug prices for the American people. Since its February launch, patients have saved more than $700 million on medicines through TrumpRx, including massive discounts on some of the most popular and costly medications used to treat obesity and infertility. In July of 2026, senior citizens without access to GLP-1 coverage to treat obesity gained access for just $50 per month. In the two months since the launch of this program, over 500,000 seniors have saved a total of $216 million dollars on these life-changing medicines. The Council of Economic Advisers estimates the total savings from President Trump’s MFN deals to reach $600 billion over the next decade. DELIVERING ON PROMISES TO PUT AMERICAN PATIENTS FIRST: President Trump is delivering on promises for American patients, accomplishing historic wins that the political establishment did not believe were possible. On May 12, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled: “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients” directing the Administration to take numerous actions to bring American drug prices in line with those paid by similar nations. On July 31, 2025, President Trump sent letters to 17 of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers outlining the steps they must take to bring down the prices of prescription drugs in the United States to match the lowest price offered in other developed nations. There are now MFN deals with each of those leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. On September 30, 2025, President Trump announced the first agreement, with the drug manufacturer Pfizer, to bring MFN prices to American patients. On December 1, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Health and Human Services announced an agreement with the United Kingdom (U.K.) that will increase the net price of new prescription drugs by 25% in the U.K., helping ensure they pay their fair share for innovative medicines. On December 19, 2025, President Trump announced nine new agreements with major pharmaceutical companies. On February 5, 2026, President Trump launched TrumpRx.gov , where patients can access large discounts on many of the most popular and highest-priced medicines in the country, paying prices in line with the MFN price. As of today, August 31, the Administration now has agreements with Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, EMD Serono, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Regeneron, Alcon, Astellas Pharma, BeOne Medicines, BridgeBio, CSL, Kyowa Kirin, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and UCB. President Trump is calling on Congress to enact the Great Healthcare Plan , a comprehensive plan to lower drug prices, lower insurance premiums, hold big insurance companies accountable, and maximize price transparency. Source: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Deal with Nine Additional Pharmaceutical Manufacturers to Lower Drug Prices for Americans – The White House

Boehringer Ingelheim Celebrates Grand Opening of New U.S. Animal Health Headquarters in Johns Creek, Georgia

August 31, 2026
NexGard® Plus donation to Johns Creek Police Department K-9 officers marks the company's commitment to the community. JOHNS CREEK, Ga. (August 31, 2026)– Boehringer Ingelheim today celebrated the grand opening of its new U.S. Animal Health headquarters in Johns Creek, Georgia, marking a significant milestone in the company's commitment to innovation, talent, and the future of animal health. Johns Creek was selected for its access to talent in one of the region's fastest-growing life sciences and innovation corridors, and proximity to other Boehringer sites in Georgia. The grand opening brought together elected officials, community leaders, customers, partners, and employees to celebrate Boehringer's presence in Georgia and its purpose of Transforming Lives for Generations through science and innovation. “The animals we care for and the customers we serve are at the center of everything we do,” said Peter Ploeger, U.S. Animal Health Country Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim . “This headquarters was designed to bring our people together, inspire collaboration, and strengthen our ability to develop solutions that improve the lives of companion animals, livestock, and the people who care for them. We are proud to call Johns Creek home and excited about the impact we will create together.” The Johns Creek headquarters complements Boehringer's broader Georgia footprint, which includes research, development, and manufacturing operations in Athens and manufacturing operations in Gainesville. Together, these sites, combining manufacturing, innovation and commercial activities, underline the importance of the U.S. for the company, which continues to invest in Georgia operations to deliver solutions that advance animal health around the world, according to event remarks from Dr. Armin Wiesler, Member of the Board of Managing Directors, Animal Health Business Unit . Georgia and local leaders, including Select Fulton Director of Economic Development Samir Abdullahi, highlighted Boehringer Ingelheim's continued investment in Georgia and commitment to the Johns Creek community. “Georgia continues to attract world-class companies because of our skilled workforce, business-friendly environment, and commitment to innovation,” said Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp . “Boehringer Ingelheim's investment in Johns Creek, along with their strong support of First Lady Marty Kemp's animal welfare efforts and K-9 law enforcement officers, reinforces their commitment to being a long-term partner with the State of Georgia." As part of the grand opening celebration, Alexandra McMenamy, U.S. Animal Health, Head of Pet at Boehringer , joined Chief Mitchell and local officials in presenting a donation of NexGard® Plus parasite protection to the Johns Creek Police Department's K-9 Unit in recognition of the department's service to the community. “We are proud to welcome a company committed to the well-being of animals,” said Mayor John Bradberry . “Boehringer Ingelheim’s support of the Johns Creek Police Department’s K-9 Unit is greatly appreciated.” The donation, made just after International Dog Day (August 26), highlights the company's commitment to supporting both animal health and the communities where its employees live and work. 
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