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Members are invited to join G2G’s Monthly GBG Reporting Service Webinar on September 18, 2025 . The first portion ( 12:00–12:30 PM ET ) is free and open to all, offering a high-level overview of current federal funding trends. The second half ( 12:30–1:00 PM ET ) is a premium consultation available only to Georgia Life Sciences members, offering direct access to G2G’s expert team—who have helped secure over $550 million in non-dilutive government funding since 2007. Register here: https://www.g2gconsulting.com/event/non-dilutive-funding-g2gs-monthly-gbg-reporting-service-webinar-14-3/2025-09-18/ Key opportunities this month include DARPA’s Expedited Research Innovation System for CBRN threat defense technologies, BARDA’s I-CREATE diagnostic funding and VANGUARD biomanufacturing tools development (each offering up to $200,000), NIAID tuberculosis and influenza research units (up to $1.5–$2.5 million annually), DoD’s $4 million Advanced Medical Monitor development through MTEC, and multiple SBIR opportunities for sensors and field-deployable diagnostics (up to $209,575 for Phase I awards). The September GBG report highlights 13 immunology and infectious disease opportunities, 10 cognitive and brain health programs, and several biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiatives across federal agencies including the Army, ARPA-H, BARDA, and NSF. Georgia Life Sciences members can access the complete 29-page report with detailed deadlines and eligibility requirements [insert link or portal instructions here]. GLS members can access the full 29-page report with deadlines and submission details by logging into your member portal.
Protecting U.S. Leadership in Agricultural Biotechnology
Celebrating the Next Generation of Scientific Breakthroughs in Georgia
Investment in early-stage life sciences companies is critical to sustain America’s global leadership in discovering and developing new medical breakthroughs for patients, according to a recent General Catalyst blog, “ The Future of Life Sciences Investment .” Early-stage life sciences companies are unique for their ability to leverage specialized scientific knowledge and a nimble structure to pursue new, innovative approaches to treat a disease. However, these companies often rely on external investment, such as from venture capital (VC), to be able navigate the cost pressures and considerable risks associated with early-stage drug development. Life sciences mergers and acquisitions (M&A) represent a clear exit point for VC investors, attracting investment and allowing companies of all sizes to combine their complementary resources, skills and expertise to bring new medicines to patients. Amidst an increasingly challenging investment landscape, preserving M&A is critical to continue supporting the hundreds of pre-clinical companies working to bring new therapies to patients. Highlights from the blog are included below: “Over the past decade, the biopharmaceutical industry has quietly produced a steady drumbeat of significant medical advances…Despite these advances, there’s global pressure to innovate faster. While the U.S. has historically been the global leader in scientific research and development, it now faces increased international competition…” “For America to maintain its competitive advantage, it must continue investing in research and clinical development… We believe that venture capital can meaningfully contribute to fill this investment gap, providing support for America’s continued ability to innovate and advance global human health." “This isn’t just our belief — venture-backed companies are driving enhanced R&D productivity and efficiency. Recent data shows that roughly 65% of new medicines originated from outside of large pharmaceutical companies.” “We believe the most meaningful breakthroughs in life sciences are rarely achieved in isolation. They’re the result of deep, sustained collaboration — between scientists and clinicians, industry and academia, and increasingly, founders and investors.” As this blog highlights, life sciences M&A remains a critical pathway for fueling investment and supporting America’s role as a global leader in life sciences innovation. Policymakers must recognize the value of life science M&A and support enforcement policies that encourage these pro-competitive partnerships and the innovative medicines they bring to patients. About the Partnership for U.S. Life Science Ecosystem (PULSE) The U.S. life sciences ecosystem depends on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as well as other collaborations to bring together the resources, investment and expertise needed to develop and deliver new treatments and cures for patients. PULSE is dedicated to raising awareness about the unique life sciences ecosystem and the importance of M&A in leveraging efficiency and experience across companies of all sizes. PULSE will help advance a national dialogue focused on fostering innovation across the life sciences while supporting a competitive U.S. market that advances next generation treatments and cures for patients. For more information, visit https://pulseforinnovation.org/.
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. The Michigan-based medtech company Stryker will receive the award to celebrates its acquisition agreement with Artelon in Sandy Springs. And Duracell will be recognized for selecting Georgia as the site of its new North American research and development headquarters. Minnesota-based ANI Pharmaceuticals will receive the award for its plan to acquire Alimera Sciences in Alpharetta for $453 million and expand its 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.
August 20, 2025 - The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21244 A dm inistrator Oz, We, the undersigned organizations, urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a timely, streamlined pathway for Medicare patients to access breakthrough medical technology. Closely aligning the efforts of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CMS, the rule will streamline regulatory coordination and eliminate unnecessary obstacles standing between physicians and patients, helping to make Americans healthier. Every day, Medicare patients across the country confront diagnoses, unexpected health emergencies, and the challenges of managing chronic conditions. Simultaneously, new and innovative medtech are continuously developed, offering profound improvements in patient care, health, and outcomes. Medtech has helped shrink the duration of hospital stays by 38%, reduce deaths from breast cancer by 43%, and decrease fatalities from heart disease and stroke by 49%. Medtech also aids in earlier identification of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, underscoring the critical importance of patient access to these advancements. Despite this remarkable impact and the continuous pace of innovation, Medicare patients face a significant and unacceptable barrier to accessing innovative medical technology. A recent study alarmingly revealed that for technologies requiring a new reimbursement pathway, nearly six years passed between FDA market authorization and Medicare coverage. Patients should not be forced to wait the better part of a decade for access to safe and effective medical technology that holds the potential to meaningfully improve their health and life. Existing programs, including the Transitional Coverage of Emerging Technologies (TCET) program, fall short of providing the consistent, timely, and predictable access that breakthrough technologies demand. Its voluntary nature and limited scope – among other issues – fall short of delivering the life-changing innovations to patients who need them most. This administration has a significant opportunity to course correct and make meaningful progress on improving American health. We have long supported a swift and streamlined approach to Medicare coverage of innovative medical devices and diagnostics that improve health outcomes for patients with debilitating or life-threatening illnesses. We are encouraged by Administrator Oz’s early focus on exploring options for a better pathway for recently approved medical devices, and we encourage CMS to take bold action. A program mirroring the core tenets of the original Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) framework, embodied in legislative proposals like S. 1717, offers a superior solution. This would provide coverage for FDA market authorized breakthrough technologies – including diagnostics – ensuring that Medicare patients and their care teams have more timely access to innovations upon FDA clearance. Crucially, it would also provide a clear, predictable roadmap for CMS to collect additional necessary evidence for making a permanent coverage decision. This would – in addition to removing or bridging regulatory obstacles – demonstrate CMS’s commitment to patient-centered care and ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can benefit from the rapid advancements in medtech without unnecessary delays, helping make for a stronger, healthier country. Sincerely, Access Ready, Inc AdvaMed All Wheels Up Alliance for Aging Research Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Impact Movement American Association for Homecare American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network American Diabetes Association American Music Therapy Association Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. (AZBio) Arthritis Foundation Association of Black Cardiologists Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network Bio Nebraska Biocom California BioFlorida BioForward Wisconsin BioUtah Breakthrough T1D Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer California Life Sciences CDx Diagnostics Colorado BioScience Association Conquering CHD CureLGMD2i Foundation Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium (FMMC) Georgia Life Sciences HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) HealthyWomen Heart Valve Voice US Hydrocephalus Association Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization, iBIO Indiana Life Sciences Association International Registry of Rehab Technology Suppliers Life Science Oklahoma Life Science Tennessee Life Science Washington Life Sciences Pennsylvania LifeSciencesNY Maryland Tech Council MassMEDIC Medical Alley Michigan Biosciences Industry Association (MichBio) Missouri Biotechnology Association Montana Bioscience Alliance National Health Council National Psoriasis Foundation NC Life Sciences Organization New Mexico Biotechnology & Biomedical Association NewYorkBIO NH Life Sciences (NHLS) ONE CANCER PLACE Oregon Bioscience Association Patients Rising Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) RI Bio Right Scan Right Time Say YES to Hope South Dakota Biotech Spina Bifida Association Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute The Mended Hearts, Inc. The Ohio Life Sciences Association Virginia Biotechnology Association Voices of Alzheimer’s Women's Health Advocates
“If you're not affiliated with a university, you can't really access their labs,” said Eddie Lai, director of business development at venture capital firm Portal Innovations. “If you're trying to build your own facility, that costs a lot of money.”
Academic Innovators and Industry Leaders to be Honored at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit
As Washington heads into August recess, Georgia Life Sciences is counting down the days to the 2025 Georgia Life Sciences Summit , taking place August 26–27 in Sandy Springs . With just one month to go, this pivotal gathering will bring together innovators, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders at a time when the national policy landscape is shifting rapidly—and not always in our favor. In just the past week, we’ve seen: A short-lived but deeply disruptive pause in NIH funding : The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) temporarily halted the issuance of NIH research grants, contracts, and training awards—impacting institutions nationwide, including here in Georgia. After significant backlash from Congress, research leaders, and advocacy groups, the administration quickly reversed course and released the funds. However, this episode underscores the growing unpredictability of federal research funding—one of the lifelines for our academic and startup ecosystem. The return of pharmaceutical tariffs : The administration announced a 15% tariff on European pharmaceutical imports , though it will not take effect until a national security review is completed. While far lower than the previously floated 200% rate, this move still poses a concern for supply chains and U.S. companies relying on EU-based manufacturing. Escalating pressure on drug pricing : President Trump has now issued direct letters to CEOs of 17 major pharmaceutical companies demanding implementation of Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing within 60 days. The directive includes MFN pricing for all existing Medicaid drugs, future Medicare and commercial launches, and even repatriation of foreign revenues. While regulatory specifics remain vague, the message is clear: the administration is increasing its pressure on pricing reform—and that could have broad implications for biotech innovation, particularly among smaller companies. At the same time, a new BIO report shows that early-stage biotech funding continues to contract. Series A investment remains flat, IPOs are sluggish, and Q2 startup funding dropped to just $900 million—down from $2.6 billion in Q1. Layoffs across the sector have surged. This paints a sobering picture for many companies in Georgia and beyond. In this environment, Georgia Life Sciences remains committed to elevating our state’s voice, regionally and nationally . We continue to advocate for stable federal funding, smart policies, and the resources innovators need to survive and thrive. The Georgia Life Sciences Summit will be a platform to do just that, demonstrating the resilience of our ecosystem, celebrating homegrown successes, and shaping the future of health innovation in Georgia. I hope to see you there.
By: Clary Estes “Small companies are the lifeblood of the industry and a lot of what they do, and what they’re experiencing, greatly affects the industry as a whole,” said Chad Wessel, Director of Industry Analysis at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). He spoke with Bio.News in an interview about BIO’s 2025 report, “ The State of Emerging Biotech Companies: Investment, Deal, and Pipeline Trends ,” focused on the biotech industry from the early-stage perspective. As researchers found, the current landscape is challenging, but there are still opportunities. “In the last couple years, we’ve had a little bit of a contraction of the industry. During COVID, we kind of had this sugar rush for the industry,” said Wessel. “A lot of companies were being created. A lot of money was being thrown out there. A lot more companies were being funded. And in the last couple of years, there has been a little bit more of a correction, and we’re seeing funding levels going down to what we’ve seen prior to COVID.” “But when you add on other challenges, like the political landscape and everything, it is leaning towards a very challenging environment for a lot of companies,” he continued. Bearish venture capital “In venture capital, yes, you have a lot of money, but it’s going to fewer companies at higher average amounts,” explained Wessel. “It’s creating this competitive haves and have-nots type marketplace or environment. So it just makes it a lot more competitive and more challenging to raise funds.” Instead of finding new opportunities, venture capitalists are investing more in companies they are already working with. As the BIO report found, the amount of new series A-1 investment rounds into biopharma remained flat between 2023 and 2024, while the number of U.S. companies receiving their first series A-1 tranche went from 102 to 100. This is in comparison to 181 in 2021, reflecting the COVID influx to emerging biotechs. Comparatively, as the BIO report found, the average amount for A-1 transactions in the U.S. saw a remarkable increase of 700% in the last 15 years, with the average amount raised sitting at $60 million in 2024. The rest of the world stayed relatively steady in comparison to the U.S.’s persistent growth. And with the more bearish tendencies of investors, Wessel and team observed an interesting trend. “2024 was the first year that clinical programs actually raised more venture dollars than pre-clinical, which hasn’t happened in a while,” said Wessel. “I think the last time that happened was in 2018. This ties into some of the information that we’ve heard anecdotally, which is that a lot of VC firms are focusing on the companies that they currently have in their portfolio, rather than adding new companies.” Licensing and deals dip It is not too surprising, then, that as investors shore up what they already have in the pipelines, the R&D pipeline and licensing have slowed somewhat. As the BIO report observed, long-term growth in the R&D pipeline continues with an overall growth of 145% since 2010. Yet, the 2024 expansion rate (4.6%) subsided slightly, trailing the 5-year average of 6.7%. “The growth has slowed on new programs, and more of those programs are being licensed with larger companies,” explained Wessel. “There are fewer options for big companies to backfill their pipeline with products because a lot of them are already out.” The data also shows a notable slowing of the R&D typically done by large biopharma companies. “The areas that are not licensed out as much are the ones with some of the higher patient populations and subsequently the ones that are not being run by small companies,” said Wessel. “These are areas like endocrine and cardiovascular diseases, which are areas where there are a lot of things like type 2 diabetes, psoriasis , high blood pressure, etc. Those all have a lot of burden on the healthcare sector or the patient population, and those aren’t really being worked on that much by smaller companies.” Comparatively – and also not surprisingly – oncology has stayed at the top of the clinical pipeline, along with neurology and infectious disease. “Same thing with licensing,” said Wessel. “While there are deals that are still happening, the upfront amount is lower currently than it has been in years past, and most of the value is tied up into milestone payments, which may or may not happen.” This is also being felt when it comes to new companies going public, which has been an oft-discussed challenge in the biotech industry for the last few years. “The IPO market has still been challenging,” Wessel says. “We went from having 40 companies a year going public, down to 15 in 2023, and now we’re back up in 2025, but it’s still down from the pre-COVID era timeframe.” Biopharma layoffs Another notable characteristic of this year’s biopharma landscape has been uptick in layoffs. “Sometimes it’s just the nature of the economy. But the amount that we’ve seen in the last few years is quite a bit higher,” said Wessel. “To counter that, we don’t really have a way of measuring job creation, but we do know it’s happening. We just are unable to put a value on that.” The BIO report found that layoff announcements ticked up to 65 during Q1 of 2025. While two points lower than Q1 of the previous year, this still marks a jump from 2024’s Q2, Q3, and Q4, which saw the number of layoff announcements at 41, 54, and 46, respectively. All in all, Wessel noted, the biotech industry is still in a bit of a holding period when it comes to trying to navigate the coming months. “It’s too early to be able to say much about the coming years for the industry based on these numbers,” he said. “It takes a little time for reality to kind of catch up for multiple reasons. But what I can say is that we do know that companies are reducing their pipelines. We do know that companies are laying off individuals. We do know that companies are having a challenge of raising funds and continue doing their best to try to maintain operations as long as they can until they can get funds.” “We know the challenge is out there, but we’re going to have to kind of wait and see a little bit on the data side of things to understand how everything is going to catch up going forward.” Source: https://bio.news/bioeconomy/bio-2025-state-of-emerging-biotechs-report-market-trends/?mkt_tok=NDkwLUVIWi05OTkAAAGb7m5php-rTOf0a_GTaj5pj7Zl-HlpVM25WtyVvCYudM82a9GKjoazUg9sqU66hlAbhqbEuYvcX3C4EqfBG7Q
