AdvaMed and Georgia Bio Send Letter to Natural Resources & Environment Committee Related to Ethylene Oxide
On behalf of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) and Georgia Bio, we wrote to the Natural Resources & Environment Committee to share our comments on Senate Bill 426, being considered by the legislature, related to ethylene oxide. As you may know, billions of medical devices each year in the U.S. are sterilized using ethylene oxide. The direct impact of severe restriction on the ability to sterilize medical devices could compromise the medical device industry’s ability to provide a consistent, stable, and safe supply of medical supplies to patients nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the threat of antimicrobial resistance to disease-causing, mutating microbes continues to rise in the U.S. and around the globe, now more than ever, we need to ensure the medical and surgical equipment health care providers use is sterile. Ethylene oxide allows sterile surgeries to happen.
Please click here to view the full letter to the committee.
Georgia Life Sciences connected 23 educators with hands-on STEM learning and industry experts at its Savannah workshop to strengthen the workforce pipeline.
Georgia Life Sciences Institute connects 23 chemistry teachers with industry professionals to bring real-world career opportunities into the classroom. The Georgia Life Sciences Institute (GLSI) recently organized an industry visit for 23 Forsyth County chemistry teachers to Bend Bioscience in Gainesville, Georgia, offering educators a firsthand look at the careers, skills, and opportunities available within the state's growing life sciences sector. During the visit, teachers engaged directly with Bend Bioscience employees, toured the facility, and explored how concepts taught in chemistry classrooms translate into real-world applications. Conversations focused on workforce needs, career pathways, and the combination of technical and professional skills that help employees succeed in the life sciences industry. A particular area of interest was Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC), functions essential to maintaining the quality, safety, and consistency of life sciences products. These discussions helped educators better understand the range of careers available to students, including opportunities beyond traditional research and laboratory roles. The experience also demonstrated the impact of connecting educators directly with industry. Several participating teachers shared that the visit inspired them to discuss life sciences career opportunities with their own children, illustrating how greater career awareness can extend beyond the classroom. Both the educators and Bend Bioscience team expressed interest in continued engagement, reinforcing the value of building stronger connections between Georgia's schools and life sciences employers. Connecting Education and Industry Through initiatives like this visit, GLSI works to bridge the gap between education and industry by giving teachers direct exposure to the companies, technologies, and careers shaping Georgia's life sciences ecosystem. By equipping educators with firsthand industry knowledge, GLSI helps bring greater career awareness and real-world relevance into classrooms across the state, introducing students to pathways they may not have previously considered. Georgia Life Sciences Institute extends its appreciation to Bend Bioscience for welcoming Forsyth County educators and investing time in the teachers who help prepare Georgia's future workforce. Together, these partnerships are helping build awareness of the diverse opportunities available in Georgia's life sciences industry and strengthen the state's future talent pipeline.
J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week is one of the most business-forward weeks of the year for the life sciences industry—a time when companies, investors, strategic partners, and industry leaders come together to build relationships, explore investment opportunities, and advance innovation. GLS is helping our community make the most of the week with opportunities to connect, partner, and engage with the broader life sciences investment community. Here are a few events and member benefits to add to your calendar. State Bio Friends Kickoff 2027 📅 January 10 | 4:00–7:00 PM 📍 The Marker San Francisco 🎟️ To request a registration code, contact Stacey Bowlin at sbowlin@galifesciences.org . RESI JPM 2027 GLS is proud to partner with Life Science Nation to offer our community $300 off registration for RESI JPM 2027 . RESI JPM connects early-stage life sciences companies with investors, strategic partners, and industry leaders through networking, partnering, and programming focused on advancing innovation and investment. 📍 In person: January 11–12 | San Francisco Marriott Marquis 📅 Virtual partnering: January 13, 18, and 19 🎟️ Please use code GABIO to r eceive $300 off registration Biotech Showcase GLS is pleased to partner with Biotech Showcase to help connect our community with this important industry gathering. Taking place January 11-13, Biotech Showcase is a premier investor conference for private and emerging publicly traded biotech companies, bringing together innovators and investors to explore partnerships and financing opportunities. 📅 January 11–13 📍Hilton San Francisco Union Square 🎟️ Please use cod e supGALS2027 to receive $200 off registration Fierce JPM Week 📅 January 12–13 📍 Hyatt Regency San Francisco 🎟️ Secure your pass We encourage our members and partners to take advantage of these opportunities and represent Georgia’s growing life sciences community on the national stage. We look forward to connecting with you in San Francisco!
