Reflecting on a Remarkable 2024; See You in 2025!

It’s our favorite time of the year, which means our team is out of the office from December 24 through January 3, taking a well-deserved break with family and friends.


As 2024 draws to a close, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Georgia Bio community for an extraordinary year. Together, we have continued to advance our shared mission of fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth within the life sciences sector. Last week, we also hosted the final meeting of the year with the Georgia Bio board, sharing our vision for the association’s future growth. A special thank you to our board chair, Steve Damon, for your leadership and vision during a transitional year where we re-emerged as a 501c6 non-profit allowing us to further our policy and advocacy work which our previous designation did not allow. This significant change prepares us to have a stronger voice as we get ready to enter the 2025 legislative session. 


Our rapidly growing membership is a testament to the energy, diversity, and strength of our community. Your contributions—whether through new ideas, partnerships, or engagement—continue to propel our industry forward and solidify Georgia as a leader in life sciences innovation. Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to build on the momentum in 2025. Our focus will be to create high-value programs, strengthen collaborations, advocate for the industry and our members at the state and federal level, and open doors to new opportunities that drive progress and improve lives through science. Together, we will tackle challenges, celebrate achievements, and continue shaping the future of the life sciences.


On behalf of Georgia Bio, I wish you a joyous holiday season filled with peace, happiness, and inspiration. I look forward to welcoming members at the Georgia Bio State Affiliate Reception at JPMorgan in early January and invite you to Save the Date for a Georgia Bio Member Appreciation reception the evening of Feb. 11th. 


Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our mission. Cheers to a bright and impactful 2025!

Maria

------------------------------------------

While we're out, we invite you to share in one to two words, what you are most optimistic about for 2025. Maybe your team is growing, you are starting a clinical trial or expanding your portfolio, excited about a transformative trend in the industry, or maybe you’re a optimistic about changes to the capital markets or regulatory landscape.

Click Here or Scan QR Code.

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.

GLS Joins Georgia Partners in Calling for Federal PBM Reform

December 7, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences is proud to stand with patient advocates, providers, and employers across the state in urging Congress to take meaningful action on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. We recently signed on to a joint letter to Georgia’s Congressional Delegation stressing the urgent need for transparency, fair practices, and policies that ensure savings flow directly to patients.

GLS’ President and CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe in December's issue of Georgia Trend

December 4, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences’ CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe shares her perspective on the value of Georgia’s research universities in this month’s issue of Georgia Trend. “Georgia research institutions have felt a very significant impact from the federal rollbacks, specifically in NIH and NSF funding. Thacker Goethe’s message about the impact of research cuts is simple: Disruption shatters the foundational trust researchers have in grant continuity….” To read the full article, click here .
MORE POSTS