Golden Helix Awards recognize achievements in Georgia's life sciences sector

August 18, 2025
By Lauren McDonald – Originally published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle


The Georgia Life Sciences advocacy organization will honor numerous Atlanta businesses and other key players in the state's life sciences industry with this year’s Golden Helix Awards. The Golden Helix Awards celebrate “excellence and achievement” across Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem. The recognition honors individuals, companies and institutions “making significant contributions to scientific discovery, health innovation, and economic growth in the state and beyond,” according to the Georgia Life Sciences organization.

Georgia Life Sciences is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that promotes the growth of the life sciences industry and works to connect businesses, academic institutions, government and others to develop products and fuel industry expansion.


“The Golden Helix Awards shine a spotlight on the bold ideas and visionary leaders propelling Georgia’s life sciences sector forward,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, president and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. The state’s life sciences industry supports around 78,000 jobs and includes close to 4,000 companies, according to the nonprofit. A partnership between the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim and the University of Georgia for a Sustainable Development Excellence Certificate Program earned the Phoenix Award, which celebrates an industry and academic collaboration.


A new neuromuscular diagnostic technology called Myomatrix, developed during Muneeb Zia’s studies at Georgia Tech in 2018, will receive the Innovation Award recognizing work that “goes beyond the traditional paradigms and has the potential to significantly impact human health, agriculture or environmental sustainability.” Myomatrix enables researchers to better record muscle activity through minimally invasive access and with cellular-level detail. It’s used by more than 200 researchers globally today.


Numerous Atlanta businesses will also receive Deal of the Year awards, including Andson Biotech for closing a $3.6 million seed round and Micron Biomedical for securing $16 million to expand manufacturing of needle-free vaccine delivery technology and to advance multiple vaccine candidates toward commercialization. The Deal of the Year awards recognize companies making the most significant transactions in the biotech industry over the past year. Moonlight Therapeutics will receive the award for closing its first equity round to advance an allergen immunotherapy platform for treating food allergies. Synaptrix will receive the award in recognition of its $13 million fundraise to develop a drug-free postoperative pain management device. Artelon, a Sandy Springs–based medical technology innovator, is being recognized with this award in celebration of its acquisition agreement with Michigan-based Stryker. And Duracell will be recognized for selecting Georgia as the site of its new North American research and development headquarters. Alimera Sciences, an Alpharetta-based biopharmaceutical company, is being recognized with this award in celebration of its $453 million acquisition agreement with Minnesota-based ANI Pharmaceuticals, which will expand ANI’s global footprint to three commercial rare disease assets.


Benjamin Siciliano with Atlanta-based Radyus Research will receive the Emerging Leader of the Year award, and Amanda Barrett at Marietta High School will earn the Teacher of the Year award. Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, representing the 52nd District in Rome, will receive the Legislator of the Year award.


This year’s winners will be honored at a ceremony Aug. 26 during the Georgia Life Sciences Summit in Sandy Springs.

GLS 2025 Year in Review

December 22, 2025
Dear Georgia Life Sciences Community, As we reflect on the past year, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our Georgia Life Sciences members for making it such an impactful one. Your engagement and leadership continue to move our industry forward and advance our shared strategic priorities— driving strong policy, expanding the talent pipeline, and creating intentional spaces for collaboration across Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem. Our Year in Review captures the progress we’ve made together across these priorities and highlights the collective impact our members are having statewide—from strengthening the workforce and supporting manufacturing growth to elevating Georgia’s position as a national life sciences leader. This progress is only possible because of the collaboration, commitment, and insight of our member community. 

Investing in America’s Biopharmaceutical Infrastructure Strengthens the Economy and Supports Union Workers

By Maria Thacker Goethe • December 20, 2025
The biopharmaceutical industry is growing America’s manufacturing and R&D capabilities to develop the next generation of treatments. A recent study from PILMA quantified the impact of the industry’s investment in American infrastructure on the economy and union workforce across 18 states from 2019-2024. The study found that across the 18 states included, the biopharmaceutical industry: Supported the American economy by investing $86.5B in R&D and manufacturing infrastructure and developing 1000+ construction projects at over 700 distinct facilities. Strengthened the American workforce by generating $2.6B in skilled union wages and providing $19M in support for union apprenticeships. The impact of the biopharmaceutical industry’s investment in American manufacturing and union jobs extends beyond direct benefits, spurring additional economic activity in the communities where workers live. This is known as the multiplier effect . On average, every $1 of new investment in a U.S. biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities generates an additional $1.59 in further economic activity (2.59x times the initial investment value). The industry’s $86.5B investment in R&D and manufacturing infrastructure has a total economic impact of $224B. Check out this resource to learn more about how biopharmaceutical investment in American infrastructure supports America’s workers and communities. For more on how biopharmaceutical companies are investing in America’s future, visit innovation.org/america-investment .

Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Coalition Urging Congressional Action on Key Innovation Policies

December 10, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences has joined 43 state and regional life sciences organizations in signing a national Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) letter calling on Congress to take immediate action on three bipartisan policy priorities that are essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation and supporting patients nationwide. With Congress back in session and several critical programs at risk of expiring, the letter urges congressional leaders to advance the following provisions without delay: 1. Reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) Program The PPRV program has been instrumental in incentivizing the development of therapies for children with rare and life-threatening conditions. Its lapse threatens to slow or halt research that families across the country are counting on. 2. Extend the SBIR/STTR Programs The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide crucial early-stage capital for emerging biotech and medtech companies—many of them in Georgia. Without reauthorization, hundreds of innovative small businesses face uncertainty, jeopardizing new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies in the pipeline, 3. Advance PBM Transparency Reforms Greater transparency and accountability within pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices are needed to ensure that savings reach patients and employers. Reforming PBM operations is essential to strengthening access and affordability across the healthcare system. A Unified Message from the Life Sciences Community The sign-on letter reflects broad, bipartisan alignment across the national life sciences ecosystem: researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, patient advocates, and state associations all share a common message— these programs underpin America’s global competitiveness and are vital to patients who rely on continued scientific progress. Georgia Life Sciences has shared the letter with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation and will continue engaging with policymakers to emphasize the importance of swift action.
MORE POSTS