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

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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.

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Legal Experts Signal Continued Uncertainty for Life Sciences M&A

By Maria Thacker Goethe • October 22, 2025
“Evolving FTC and DOJ policies leave investors and innovators navigating a cautious M&A landscape

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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