Georgia Bio, the state’s life science trade association, announced today the appointment of Stacey Bowlin as the organization’s Senior Vice President of Industry Engagement and Marketing. Bowlin will collaborate closely with Georgia Bio’s CEO on the company's strategic priorities, including the company’s go-to-market positioning and its integrated work with members.

 

“Stacey is an association brand strategist who will help both our members and GA Bio harness change to maximize performance and connectivity with key stakeholders across the state. She’ll be invaluable in driving our company’s strategic initiatives forward as we continue to evolve and grow," said Georgia Bio CEO Maria Thacker Goethe. “We’re very pleased to welcome Stacey to the organization.”

 

Over the course of her career, Bowlin has worked for a range of service organizations delivering marketing and event solutions to drive growth, retention, and revenue. Most recently, Bowlin worked at California Life Sciences, where she served as the association's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Industry Engagement. At CLS, she built a marketing function that included the organization’s communications and profile building efforts, events portfolio, sponsorship and other non-dues revenue initiatives. Stacey also oversaw CLS’ entrepreneurship programs, with an emphasis on expanding opportunities for startup companies, including CLS’s acclaimed FAST advisory program, and new initiatives that support the innovation pipeline. 

 

Previously, she spent more than a decade at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. 

 

"I am excited to work with the GA Bio team to amplify their portfolio of programs, events, and initiatives, helping our members advance critical products and services that will transform patient’s lives,” said Stacey Bowlin. “Together, we will continue to focus on the needs of our members.”

 

Georgia Bio also recently welcomed Katie Rogers to the organization. In her role as Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Katie will focus on entrepreneurship initiatives connecting life science startups to resources needed to help them scale their ventures. She will also serve as the liaison for many of Georgia Bio’s committees and networks to ensure strong partnerships.

 

About Georgia Bio


Georgia Bio (GaBio) is the state’s most impactful life sciences membership organization, advocating for the sector and its diverse innovation pipeline. For more than 30 years, GaBio has served its members by supporting companies of all sizes, from early-stage innovators and startups to established industry leaders in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. GaBio also works closely with universities, academic and research institutions, the investment community, and other critical partners that promote this vibrant sector. GaBio works to shape public policy, improve access to breakthrough technologies, educate lawmakers, provide member programs, strengthens the workforce pipeline, and advance equity within our ecosystem by championing innovative solutions for some of the most pressing challenges of our times. For more information, visit www.gabio.org | www.georgiabioed.org


MEDIA CONTACT:

Melissa Carter

404-920-2043

mcarter@gabio.org

Georgia Life Sciences Designates City of Atlanta as Newest BioReady® Community

By Sheran Brown • February 21, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences Designates City of Atlanta as Newest BioReady® Community

Bipartisan PBM Reform Back in Focus as House Committee Plans Hearing

By Sheran Brown • February 20, 2025
A renewed push for prescription drug cost reform is gaining momentum in Congress, with the House Energy and Commerce Committee's health subcommittee planning a hearing on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform for late February. The hearing, to be led by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), signals a revival of bipartisan efforts to regulate these pharmaceutical intermediaries. PBMs, which negotiate drug prices for insurers and employers, have become a focal point in the broader discussion of healthcare costs. A previous bipartisan agreement to regulate these entities was crafted by Carter and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) in the last Congress, though it ultimately stalled when the larger spending bill it was attached to faced opposition. The reform efforts enjoy broad support from both parties and the president, making it one of the few areas with potential for bipartisan cooperation. However, new complications have emerged as Republicans consider using PBM regulations to generate savings for their broader policy agenda, potentially requiring up to $880 billion in cost reductions. The path forward remains uncertain, with ongoing debates about whether such reforms would qualify for budget reconciliation and whether using PBM regulations as a funding mechanism could derail bipartisan cooperation. Meanwhile, stakeholders continue to disagree on the impact of additional PBM regulation, with pharmaceutical companies arguing that PBMs inflate drug costs while PBMs contend that new regulations would increase prices.

Council on State Biotechnology Associations says NIH funds are a critical component of innovation ecosystem

By Sheran Brown • February 20, 2025
The Council of State Biotechnology Associations (CSBA) has issued a strong warning about proposed cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, emphasizing the critical role these grants play in America's biotech innovation ecosystem. The statement, below , comes amid concerns over recent guidance that would reduce NIH funding to key research institutions. ----------------------- “Today, the US biotech industry employs nearly 2.3 million people across the US and is making positive contributions to economic impact and national security across all 50 states. In fact, for every dollar the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contributes to a successful drug, the private sector invests over $65, underscoring the agency’s unparalleled return on investment. As the associations representing the bioscience industry across the nation, the Council on State Biotechnology Associations (CSBA) is concerned by recent guidance that would cut funding provided by the NIH to universities, hospitals, and other institutions that perform critical early-stage research. NIH grant funds are a critical component of our innovation ecosystem. Grants for basic research are the spark that leads to university-driven discoveries, with public-private partnerships and tech transfers that bridge early-stage research to industry-sponsored drug development and ultimately to FDA approved medical advances for hundreds of diseases. While the administration looks for greater efficiency in the use of taxpayer dollars, it cannot be overstated - once scientific innovation moves abroad, it may never return. In the race for scientific innovation around the world, as our adversaries continue to increase government investments in research, we encourage President Trump to follow suit and ensure that we maintain our global leadership in an industry that was created and thrives across the US.”
MORE POSTS
Share by: