Georgia Bio to Showcase State’s Leadership and Patients’ Perspectives in Bioscience Innovation at 2019 Innovation Summit

Atlanta, Georgia (September 26, 2019) – The Georgia Bio Innovation Summit is the southeast’s largest life science conference, showcasing Georgia’s leadership in innovation to improve the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment. This year’s Summit will bring together hundreds of CEOs, senior executives, scientists and public policy officials from Georgia and across the nation on October 8 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.

How important is the life sciences industry to the state of Georgia? From 2007 to 2017, employment in life sciences grew by 14.9%, compared to 7.7% nationally, and 8.7% growth in private employment across all industries in the state.” An RTI report for Georgia Bio published earlier this year identified 1,960 unique life science establishments that contributed 68,300 jobs and $10 billion to Georgia’s Gross Domestic Product. Accounting for multiplier effects, the industry supports a total of approximately 194,000 jobs and contributes $21.8 billion to Georgia’s GDP.

The 2019 Breakfast Keynote is entitled ”Connecting Healthcare” from Dr. Jean-Christophe Tellier, UCB Global CEO. The Luncheon Keynote Address “Personalized Health in a Chaotic Environment” will be delivered by Marc Boutin, CEO of the National Health Council

“In order to innovate, first and foremost, we must connect the patient to the science,” Tellier told the Harvard Club of Belgium. “We are moving from treating the group of patients on one criteria [towards] a better understanding of patient subpopulations and trying to define much more precise solutions that better match their needs based on biologic signatures.”

Georgia Bio is putting special emphasis on the patient’s perspective into this year’s event. What does patient-centricity really mean in an industry that comprises 20 percent of the U.S. economy? We will hear from four local members of the International Children’s Advisory Network; young advocates for the importance of the patient’s voice in pediatric care. High school senior Ayana Ganesh, sophomore Ava Meisner, eighth grader Kalee Polk, junior Maci Yeager and moderator Leanne West who will share their first person accounts of what patient centricity and the importance of the patient voice means in pediatric care.

View the full program agenda here.

Did you know, according to AdvaMed, Fortune 500 companies with more than three women on the Board have 66% higher return on invested capital and a 42% higher return on sales?

Given those statistics, to ensure we hear directly from the voice of the patient, and to build awareness among aspiring young women for what is attainable in our industry, we have intentionally stacked our presenting faculty with women leading the state’s life science sector. Read more about the industry leading women in Georgia’s life sciences presenting. 

“We are entirely confident the 2019 edition of the Georgia Bio Innovation Summit will be of high value for any and all with an interest in Georgia’s life science community and driving better treatments and care to patients in Georgia and around the globe,” says Georgia Bio President and CEO Maria Thacker-Goethe.

Register here

About Georgia Bio

Georgia Bio is the state’s trade association committed to driving growth in Georgia’s biosciences industry and its many sectors, including agri-biotech, food and nutrition, bio-based technologies and renewable chemicals, industrial and environmental biotech, medical devices and technologies, pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare, diagnostics and research products, testing and research services, and clinical research. Georgia Bio members include bioscience companies, academic and research institutions, bioscience service providers, digital health companies, and related organizations. For more information, visit www.gabio.org or follow us on Twitter @Georgia_Bio

Editor’s Note: Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. To request media registration, please contact Kristina Forbes at kforbes@gabio.org | 404-920-2043. 

Media Contact: 
Kristina Forbes
404-920-2043
kforbes@gabio.org

January 14, 2026
What happens when students see real work before choosing a future 
By Maria Thacker Goethe January 8, 2026
By: Patrick Plues | RealClearHealth January 8, 2026 For decades, America has led the global biotech industry – thanks, in part, to state-level policies that encourage research and manufacturing investments. But other countries, including China, are sparing no expense in the bid to overtake us. Beijing has officially made biotechnology a national strategic priority and is pouring billions into state-backed research and manufacturing efforts. All states should consider impactful biotech policies that grow and strengthen our domestic biotechnology industry. If states fail to utilize and replicate what are considered to be the best and most successful policies in biotech-focused economic development, the United States will soon lose its long-term leadership in developing medicines and medical technologies, which underpin our health, our economy, and our national security. Thankfully, many governors and state legislatures around the country are already answering this call -- as our new study, The U.S. Bioscience Industry: A Powerful Engine for State Economies, demonstrates. Keep Reading at https://www.realclearhealth.com/2026/01/08/americas_biotech_leadership_depends_on_the_states_1157584.html
December 22, 2025
Dear Georgia Life Sciences Community, As we reflect on the past year, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our Georgia Life Sciences members for making it such an impactful one. Your engagement and leadership continue to move our industry forward and advance our shared strategic priorities— driving strong policy, expanding the talent pipeline, and creating intentional spaces for collaboration across Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem. Our Year in Review captures the progress we’ve made together across these priorities and highlights the collective impact our members are having statewide—from strengthening the workforce and supporting manufacturing growth to elevating Georgia’s position as a national life sciences leader. This progress is only possible because of the collaboration, commitment, and insight of our member community. 
MORE POSTS