Maria Thacker-Goethe, Georgia Bio President and CEO, Named to “100 Most Influential Georgians” list by Georgia Trend Magazine

Atlanta, Georgia (January 11, 2021) – Georgia Bio, the state’s public policy and business solutions organization representing Georgia’s life sciences sector, announced today that President and CEO Maria Thacker-Goethe was named to Georgia Trend magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians” list for 2021.

“It is an incredible honor to be chosen amongst such esteemed colleagues,” said Maria Thacker-Goethe, Georgia Bio’s president and CEO. “The list contains several of our life sciences partners, exhibiting the influence and impact that our sector has on the state of Georgia. Thank you to Georgia Trend for the merit and for highlighting the importance of the life sciences to our state.”

In its 23 rd year, this year’s “100 Most Influential Georgians” list contains CEOs, politicians, college presidents, nonprofit and economic development leaders who “have risen to the challenges of the past year to help make life better for all Georgians.”

Per Georgia Trend : “Under Thacker-Goethe’s leadership, Georgia Bio cultivates a high-growth life sciences

sector vital by many measures, including the nearly 200,000 jobs and approximately $22-billion impact for Georgia. She not only brings 13-plus years of nonprofit management to the role, but also the vision and experience from her concurrent leadership roles at the Georgia BioEd Institute and Global Health Alliance.”

To read more and view the full list of recipients, click HERE.

Thacker-Goethe also serves as CEO for the Center for Global Health Innovation. Georgia Bio is a division of The Center for Global Health Innovation, an Atlanta based 501(c)3 organization that was launched in 2020 to bring together diverse Global Health, Health Technology and Life Sciences entities to collaborate, innovate and activate solutions to enhance human health outcomes around the world. ( innovateglobalhealth.org )

About Georgia Bio

Georgia Bio ( www.gabio.org ) is the state’s private, non-profit life sciences association. Members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, medical centers, universities and research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of life sciences related products and services.

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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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