VITALS

Uncertainty isn’t going away. From AI and geopolitical shifts to supply chain disruption and changing healthcare policy, today’s life sciences leaders are navigating a landscape where the only constant is change.But what if uncertainty isn’t just something to manage—it’s something you can use to your advantage? 

In the latest episode of Vitals, Gary Lynch, Founder & CEO of The Risk Project and author of Uncertainty Advantage: Single Point of Failure or Opportunity?, shares insights from decades of advising global companies on how leaders can turn uncertainty into opportunity. 

Gary explores how o...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES

In this episode Georgia Life Sciences President & CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe, sits down with Dave Penake, CEO of Saol Therapeutics and Chair of Georgia Life Sciences, for a conversation about leadership, biotech growth, rare disease innovation, and the future of Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem.Drawing on a career that has taken him from semiconductor manufacturing to biotech hubs in Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area—and ultimately to Atlanta—Dave shares the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership and his belief in taking a long-t...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES

In this episode of Vitals: Georgia's Life Sciences Podcast, Georgia Life Sciences President & CEO Maria Thacker Goethe sits down with Helen Tarlatin, Director of Employee & Community Engagement at UCB, to discuss one of the most significant life sciences investments in Georgia's history. Fresh off UCB's announcement of its $2 billion biologics manufacturing facility in Gwinnett County, Helen shares why Georgia emerged as the ideal location, what this investment means for patients, and how workforce development, education, and community partnerships are shaping the next generation of biotechnology manufacturing. The...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES

David Dodd, CEO of Geovax, discussed the evolution of Georgia's life sciences ecosystem, emphasizing the persistence and collaboration of various stakeholders over decades. Geovax's focus is on developing the Geo MVA vaccine for monkeypox and smallpox, leveraging a platform with no contraindications. The company aims to establish advanced MVA manufacturing in Georgia, initially employing 25-50 people, expanding to 100+. Dodd highlighted the critical need for sustained investment in vaccine innovation and manufacturing to ensure global health security. He also stressed the importance of education and workforce development in...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES

Scott Rizzo, Vice Chair of Georgia Life Sciences, discussed his career journey from the automotive industry to pharmaceutical manufacturing, highlighting his roles at Hoffman Roche, Barrier Therapeutics, and Recrow Pharma. He emphasized the importance of local government support and the recent $20 million expansion of Bend, a CDMO in Gainesville, Georgia, which will create additional jobs. Rizzo stressed the need for collaboration among life sciences companies, effective supply chain management, and the integration of AI to enhance drug development and manufacturing. He also underscored the importance of workforce...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES

Courtney Law, Vice President of Innovation Economy at J.P. Morgan, discussed her career journey from PhD training to her current role, emphasizing the importance of ecosystem building and leveraging resources. She highlighted the positive investment environment in the Southeast, noting a significant uptick in biopharma venture funding and the highest med tech venture activity globally in Q4. Challenges include regulatory changes and funding gaps for early-stage companies. Law stressed the importance of communication, patience, and advocacy for early-stage funding. She also underscored Georgia's strengths, including a...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES

At the core of every illness is an individual. Obvious, yes, but often the individual's voice is not heard, not empowered, not embraced.  In this very robust and thought provoking episode of VITALS, Maria Thacker Goethe, the CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, interviews Dorothy Leone- Glasser, a registered nurse specialist in rheumatology and immunology, who shared her journey with systemic lupus, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and lifestyle changes. She highlighted the need for patient engagement and advocacy, particularly in clinical trials and healthcare p...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES

In this incredible, timely, and informative episode of VITALS, Maria Thacker Goethe, the CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, interviews Scott McCarty, Managing Director of Sales, Origination, Healthcare and Life Sciences at Silicon Valley Bank, who discusses venture debt strategy, cautious optimism in today’s market cycle, robust biotech exits, and how executives can scale healthcare innovation, medtech, and health tech companies across Georgia and the broader Southeast ecosystem.

Scott McCarty's Career Journey
Maria Thacker Goethe asks Scott McCarty about his ca...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES

In this incredible, timely, and informative episode of VITALS, Maria Thacker, the CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, interviews Lynn Durham, President and CEO of Georgia Core, who discusses her journey from government and politics to leading a nonprofit focused on cancer care. Georgia Core, founded in 2003, aims to improve cancer care through research, education, and advocacy. The organization collaborates with healthcare systems across Georgia, emphasizing patient-centered care and clinical trials. Durham highlighted the importance of diversifying funding sources, including federal grants and industry partnerships. She a...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES


In this incredible, timely, and informative episode of VITALS, Maria Thacker, the CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, interviews Dr. Samir Patel, President and CEO of Moonlight Therapeutics, who discusses the company's development of a micro-needle stamp for food allergy treatment. The technology, which aims to reduce side effects and improve patient adherence, is currently undergoing clinical trials. Moonlight has raised $9 million in SBIR funds and secured additional support from the NIH and the DoD. Patel emphasized the importance of simplifying product design and understanding regulatory requirements. H...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES


In this incredible, timely, and informative episode of VITALS, Maria Thacker, the CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, interviews Mike Walker, Vice President of Health and Life Sciences at Microsoft, for a rubust discussion on the integration of AI in the life sciences industry. He emphasized the importance of focusing on non-sexy use cases like SOPs and document generation to enhance productivity and compliance. Walker highlighted the need for trustworthy data, governance, and a zero-trust architecture to ensure regulatory compliance. He also stressed the importance o...

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCES


In this episode of Vitals, Maria Thacker, the CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, interviews David Crane, a venture partner at 1004 Venture Partners, about the biotech industry in Georgia as well as on a national level. David, with a PhD in physics and an MBA, discusses the importance of a diverse funding stack, including NIH, VCs, family offices, and strategic partnerships. He emphasizes the need for founders to understand investor preferences and the importance of risk mitigation. David highlights the current economic challenges affecting investment strategies and...

Welcome to VITALS Season 2!

To kick off the new season, the CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, Maria Thacker-Goethe, is joined in studio by the President and CEO of BIO, John Crowley, who shared his journey from business to biotech after his daughter Megan was diagnosed with Pompe Disease. He emphasized the importance of time in biotech, highlighting the transformation of cystic fibrosis treatment from a death sentence to a normal life expectancy. Crowley discussed the role of AI and machine learning in accelerating drug development, the need for a modernized FDA, and the importance of access t...

In this episode of the Georgia Life Sciences Podcast, host Maria Thacker Goethe sits down with Avi Robbins, President of the Porex Life Sciences Institute, to discuss how Porex has evolved from a Georgia Tech-founded startup into a global leader in life sciences. Avi shares insights on public-private partnerships, the role of research collaborations, and how Porex is driving innovation in medical devices and diagnostic testing. Learn more about Porex and its impact on Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem in this insightful conversation! RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE
Visit https://www.porexlifesciences.com/Follow Avi Robbins on LinkedIn at ht...

In this episode of the Georgia Life Sciences Podcast, host Maria Thacker-Goethe speaks with Johnna Hodges, Assistant Director of UGA’s Biomedical and International Biomedical Regulatory Sciences Program. They explore the growing need for regulatory professionals in the life sciences sector, how UGA’s program is preparing students for careers in regulatory affairs, clinical trials, and drug safety, and the evolving landscape of medtech education. Whether you're a student, an industry professional, or simply curious about the regulatory side of biotech, this episode offers key insights into an exciting and expanding field. Tune in now! RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

Welcome to VITALS, The Georgia Life Sciences Podcast—your source for the latest insights, innovations, and industry developments in Georgia’s thriving life sciences ecosystem. This podcast highlights how Georgia Life Sciences is driving industry growth, advancing policies, and fostering strategic partnerships that support biotech professionals and companies. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators who are shaping the future of biotech and medtech in Georgia and beyond. Whether you're a decision-maker, entrepreneur, or passionate about life sciences, this series offers actionable insights, inspiring success stories, and key trends that impact businesses and careers in the sector. Subs...

In this inaugural episode of Georgia Life Sciences podcast, Maria Thacker Goethe is joined by Steve Damon, CEO of Micron Biomedical. Steve is an experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of working and succeeding in the biotechnology and medical technology industries. His background includes 4P Thereapeutics, Femasys Inc, and Altea Therapeutics among others. He currently serves as Chairman of Georgia Life Sciences. Steve and Maria dive into the future of drug and vaccine delivery, exploring how Micron’s groundbreaking needle-free technology is improving healthcare access worldwide. They also discuss how Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem supports innovation, and why biotech star...

In this episode of the Georgia Life Sciences Podcast, host Maria Thacker Goethe sits down with Jon Getzinger, CEO of FERMWORX, to discuss how Georgia is positioned to become a leader in biomanufacturing. Jon shares insights on how FERMWORX is producing biopolymers and scaling bio-based manufacturing, the challenges of workforce development in biotech, and how federal partnerships are reshaping the U.S. bioeconomy. Tune in to learn how bio-based solutions are transforming industries and creating new economic opportunities! RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE
Visit https://fermworx.com/Follow Jon Getzinger on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-getzinger-19494...

In this episode of the Georgia Life Sciences Podcast, host Maria Thacker-Goethe speaks with Dr. Chris Pack, Director of Preclinical Studies at Metaclipse Therapeutics. They explore the company’s cutting-edge work in immunotherapy, including a personalized vaccine for cancer treatment, how Georgia’s research ecosystem has supported their journey, and what’s next as they prepare for their first clinical trial. Whether you're an industry professional, a patient advocate, or simply curious about the future of oncology, this episode provides key insights into a groundbreaking innovation in cancer treatment. Tune in now! RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE
Visit https://metacl...

In this episode of the Georgia Life Sciences Podcast, host Maria Thacker Goethe sits down with Leanne West, Chief Engineer of Pediatric Technologies at Georgia Tech, to discuss how the Pediatric Innovation Network is transforming healthcare for children. Leanne shares insights on how collaborative research efforts are leading to groundbreaking medical innovations—from personalized 3D-printed tracheal splints to advancements in pediatric clinical trials. She also discusses the importance of patient advocacy and how the network connects researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to drive real-world impact. Learn more about pediatric innovation and the future of children’s healthcare in this insightful conv...