Georgia Innovation Vital to Global Health

Even in the face of a global pandemic, nothing stops innovation. In fact, innovation, specifically in bio and life sciences, has arguably never been more important. While it’s still recommended to avoid in-person interaction and large gatherings when possible, collaboration remains vital.

This is why the BIO International Convention is going virtual. From June 8-12, 2020, leaders of the global biotech industry will have the opportunity to meet with key partners one-on-one, explore educational resources that help drive business, and gain access to key insights to continue critical research and development.

As leading participants and partners in this web-based convention, members of the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Life Sciences team will have the opportunity to showcase to investors why Georgia is where BIO breaks through.

With a robust life sciences community, a culture of innovation and collaboration, a talented and diverse workforce, and world-class logistics, Georgia puts BIO companies in a position to impact the world.

COVID-19 Response

Known for being the birthplace of anesthesia, Georgia has a rich history of medical innovation and collaboration. Using collaboration as their guide, Georgia companies have led an unprecedented response to the novel coronavirus. Significant funding from the CDC Foundation and Microsoft has led to the expedited establishment of the Global Heath Crisis Coordination Center, a coalition of global business leaders, experts and inspired citizens, dedicated to coordinating resources and knowledge as the world faces COVID-19.

In addition, with manufacturing plants in Covington, Takeda has spearheaded the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance, an unprecedented industry collaboration established to accelerate the development of plasma-derived hyper immune globulin therapy for COVID-19. Its membership includes companies from across the globe who continue to provide vital support and encourage people to donate more plasma as companies, who are typically competitors, work together to develop a treatment option for COVID-19.

Robust R&D Community & No. 2 in the U.S. for Funding Provided by Industry to Universities’ Research

Georgia’s share of its universities’ research funded by private-sector industry partners (10.6%) ranks No. 2 in the United States. Generating more than $2 billion a year in public and private funding, this reflects the state’s collaborative approach to academic research and industrial innovation.

Founded in 1990, the GRA serves as a national model for university research collaboration and public-private investment. Through the GRA Eminent Scholar program, Georgia universities have a competitive advantage in recruiting young and brilliant scientists, thus attracting more federal and private research funding.

Georgia is also the headquarters for one of the largest non-profit organizations in the nation, the Task Force for Global Health, co-founded by William H. Foege, MD, MPH, who is responsible for eradicating smallpox. Task Force for Global Health is known internationally for tackling the world’s most intractable diseases and working to bring them under public health control.

A few other R&D leaders that call Georgia home include: American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, CARE, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory Global Health Institute, Emory School of Medicine, Global Center for Medical Innovation (GCMI), Medical College of Georgia, Morehouse School of Medicine, Southeastern Medical Device Association (SEMDA), The Carter Center, and U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Talented and Diverse Workforce

Nearly 70,000 Georgians work in the life sciences industry. With both Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) consistently ranking in the top three biomedical engineering graduate programs, and Georgia Quick Start serving as the number one workforce training program in the nation, this number is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.

Georgia Quick Start operates the Georgia BioScience Training Center. This “hub” for bio-industry professionals serves as a host for networking and professional events that create synergies across the state, and accommodates a variety of industry training technologies.

Easy Access to Global Markets

Home to the world’s busiest airport and two deep-water seaports, Georgia is a gateway to global markets. Georgia’s unparalleled logistics infrastructure and services, which helps handle and haul more than $900 billion of cargo every year, and has more than 80 cold chain facilities, attracts companies from all over the world.

Pro-Business State with a Low Cost of Living

The state’s low corporate taxes, robust tax incentive programs and low cost of living have helped create a pro-business environment that businesses of all sizes have chosen to plant their roots. The bio and life sciences communities have been no exception.

Thousands of leading BIO companies, including Takeda, Noramco Inc., Axiom Labs, Boehringer Ingelheim, Alkermes LLC, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, UCB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and more have chosen to invest in Georgia as they advance and work to create a healthier world.

To visit our online BIO 2020 Pavilion, click here.

By: EJane Caraway

Posted: June 5, 2020