News and Achievements

Venture capitalists meet Georgia's most promising

It's the largest venture capital forum in Georgia's history, and it just might send the Innovation Crescent skyrocketing.
Venture Atlanta will draw over 100 venture capitalists from 20 states throughout the U.S. this fall to get an early, inside look at some of the most promising tech companies emerging from the state of Georgia. more.

GSU lures ROCK Pharmaceuticals to Atlanta

Georgia State University will start a center to investigate inflammation and infectious disease treatments -- a move that will bring a pharmaceutical company to Atlanta. more.

Barrow Site Earns GRAD designation

Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Site Designation Announced by Barrow Economic Development
(Statham, Georgia, June 30, 2010) – The Barrow Economic Development Council announced official designation of 104 acres +/- site in Statham, Georgia as a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) site. more.

Where Will HP’s Laid-Off Employees Relocate (If Necessary)?

In September of 2008, Hewlett-Packard (HP) took over information technology (IT) provider Electronic Data Systems, and then proceeded to cut 24,600 jobs. Today HP announced that it will be cutting about 9,000 more. Lately, technology firms in Silicon Valley have starting recruiting more aggressively again. But will there be enough technology jobs in the Valley for the 9,000 Hewlett-Packard employees that will be laid off over the next several years? more.

Georgia Bioscience Technology Institute starts

Five Georgia state technical colleges have come together to start the Georgia Bioscience Technology Institute (GBTI), a partnership that will recruit and train workers for the state’s bioscience industry. more.

Georgia’s Bioscience Cluster Region Formalizes

The Innovation Crescent, a 13-county region from Atlanta to Athens containing over 95% of Georgia’s Life Science assets, became its own organization today, with the 13 communities and organizations signing legal documentation to form the Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership (ICRP), LLC. more.

Biotech startup to remain local

An Australian company that sells lab research products plans to buy a University of Georgia-based biotech startup business and establish the company's North American headquarters in Athens. more.

Spanish Biotech Firm Comes to Atlanta

A Spanish biotechnology firm has invested $150,000 to put its North American office in Atlanta. Sepmag Technologies, which makes equipment that uses magnetic fields to separate and purify cellular material in bulk quantities more.

ADA Leads Business Development Trip to India

Under the leadership of ADA Project Manager of Business Engagement Danielle Fernandes, the Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership has embarked on a business development mission more.

Jacobs transforms Theragenics
Company has gone from one product to 3,500

Tucked away at the end of a dead-end street in Buford, there’s a high fence and a gate that’s manned with a guard. There’s no signage for the business that lies hidden from view. more.

GICRP to Visit India

Georgia's Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership will head to India in February 2010 on a global business mission. More information on the trip is forthcoming. For a list of delegation members and their bios, please click here.

Biotech company to open testing laboratory at the Morehouse School of Medicine
Iverson Genetics’ research in gene therapy will create Georgia jobs, investment

Atlanta, GA, Oct 12, 2009 — Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc., a leader in the emerging field of gene-based health information, is opening a regional genetic testing laboratory at the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) in Atlanta.

“Iverson has found the right place to advance its research,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Georgia has an outstanding record for cultivating innovation and providing the business, academic scientific resources bioscience companies need. The Morehouse School of Medicine is certainly one of our foremost research facilities and we look forward to the pioneering therapies produced by this partnership between the medical school and Iverson.”

The initial phase of this cutting-edge laboratory will be the development of a 2,000-square-foot genetics lab with an investment of $2.5 million. This lab will create 13 new jobs on the MSM campus.

“Personal, gene-based information is the next wave of optimizing therapy and enhancing personal wellness for patients,” said Dean Sproles, Iverson Genetic Diagnostics’ CEO. “This genetic testing laboratory at Morehouse School of Medicine will provide physicians and other healthcare providers in Georgia and around the nation with more specific gene-based information to optimize the care of their patients. For example, gene-based information from this lab will help physicians understand how a patient may respond to a specific drug and effectively introduce clinically relevant genetic testing into mainstream medicine.”

“Each of us has a unique, genetic composition that makes us different—taller, shorter; faster, slower; blue eyes or brown. Through our association with Iverson, we will be able to capture genetic information in ways that can make gene-based decisions about drug dosing and wellness management a mainstream part of medical practice,” stated Eve J. Higginbotham, M.D., dean and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Morehouse School of Medicine. “We are excited to be at the forefront of helping physicians use each individual’s genetic information to make their treatment safer and more effective.”

“The Atlanta Development Authority is pleased to welcome Iverson Genetic Diagnostics to their new location in the City of Atlanta and we were pleased to be a part of the Georgia team that helped them make this selection,” said Gregg Simon, manager of business engagement for the Atlanta Development Authority. “We look forward to Iverson becoming a part of our growing life science business cluster in Atlanta.”

The Metro Atlanta Chamber also assisted the company with its location, as did Kornelius Bankston, project manager for GDEcD.

About the Company
Iverson Genetic Diagnostics is a leader in making actionable genetic information readily available to physicians in everyday practice. The company’s mission is to provide physicians with clinically relevant gene-based information to optimize therapy and enhance personal wellness for their patients. Iverson Genetic Diagnostics is headquartered in Bothell, Washington in the greater Seattle technology corridor. The company’s facilities are CLIA and CAP certified. For more information about the company, visit www.IversonGenetics.com.

About Morehouse School of Medicine
Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), located in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1975 as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College. In 1981 Morehouse School of Medicine became an independently chartered institution and the first minority medical school established at a Historically Black College and University in the 20th century. MSM is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians. Our faculty and alumni are noted in their fields for excellence in teaching, research and public policy, and are known in the community for exceptional, culturally appropriate patient care. For more information about Morehouse School of Medicine, visit www.msm.edu.

About Georgia’s Bioscience Industry
With strong talent, a spirit of collaboration and access to the world, Georgia is at the crossroads of global health. Georgia is home to the CDC, CARE, the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation and more than 300 bioscience companies. The state offers robust public-private partnerships in bioscience, including the Georgia Research Alliance, through which the State’s six research universities collaborate to create, improve and grow science- and technology-based companies. Additionally, Georgia boasts a strong talent pool, with the nation’s highest growth in market share of college-educated 25-to-34 year-olds and one of the largest state university systems in the country, graduating 44,000 students each year. Georgia is the first state in the U.S. Southeast to hold the BIO International Convention, which attracted more than 14,000 participants from 58 countries in May 2009. For more information on Georgia’s bioscience industry, visit www.georgiabiosciences.com.

CryoLife gets FDA nod for CryoPatch

Atlanta Business Chronicle, Wednesday, August 12, 2009
CryoLife Inc. said Wednesday it won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its CryoPatch SG pulmonary human cardiac patch.

CryoPatch is used for the repair or reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), which is a surgery commonly performed in children with congenital heart defects, such as Tetralogy of Fallot, Truncus Arteriosus, and Pulmonary Atresia. more

Dendreon putting $70M plant in Atlanta

Atlanta Business Chronicle, Monday, August 10, 2009
Seattle-based biotechnology company Dendreon Corp. confirmed Monday it will build a $70 million manufacturing plant in Union City, Ga.

Recession boosts enrollment at Georgia’s technical colleges

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/15/09
Dana Hudson Mitchell made a living for 12 years selling real estate. But over the past couple of years she watched her salary dwindle as the economy weakened and the housing market tumbled.

The 38-year-old single mother of two realized she needed a change. She enrolled in the surgical technology program at Gwinnett Technical College and expects to earn between $35,000 and $50,000 a year when she finishes in March. more

Biotechnology Key Industry for Atlanta’s Future

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/15/09
Next week, the city of Atlanta welcomes the largest global event for the biotechnology industry to the Georgia World Congress Center. The 2009 BIO International Convention attracts the biggest names in biotech. more

Biotech Company Expands in Metro Atlanta and Georgia's Innovation Crescent

ADMA Biologics, parent company to ADMA Bio Centers, opens new Bio Center in Gwinnett County, Creates 40 new jobs. more

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Innovation Crescent fosters life sciences

Atlanta Business Chronicle, 09/12/08
Move over, Research Triangle Park — the Innovation Crescent is making its mark. The Innovation Crescent was unveiled this summer as the brand name for the geographic area extending from metro Atlanta to Athens. more

UGA scientists named distinguished cancer scholars

Atlanta Business Chronicle, 09/16/08
The Georgia Cancer Coalition has named The University of Georgia scientists John Vena, Jason Zastre and Claire Robb distinguished cancer scholars for 2008-09. Combined, the scientists will get about $1.3 million over five years to support their research through the coalition’s Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists program. The coalition picks scientists involved in the most promising areas of cancer research who can strengthen the state’s research talent, capacity, infrastructure and funding. more

Education efforts boost life sciences workforce

Atlanta Business Chronicle, 09/12/08
The first class of students graduated this summer from the Georgia Bioscience Technology Institute — bringing new biotech talent to the workforce. The institute, which is a partnership between Athens Technical College and Gwinnett Technical College, is one of many initiatives to grow the state’s life sciences workforce. The efforts range from stepping up science in middle schools to generating more college graduates and attracting esteemed scientists from other states. more

KPMG: Atlanta ranks high as tax-friendly area to businesses

Atlanta Business Chronicle, 07/28/08
Atlanta placed third in KPMG International’s analysis of major American cities with tax structures favorable to businesses. more

GaBio Supports Approval of H.S. Biotechnology Research and Development Career Pathway

ATLANTA, GA (July 14, 2008) – Georgia Bio applauds the State Board of Education for its approval of a high school curriculum for a Biotechnology Research and Development Career Pathway, scheduled for launch in the fall 2009. Initially approved under the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Division, the courses are expected to be offered for science elective credit in the near future.

Developed under the state’s Healthcare Sciences track, the Biotechnology Research and Development Career Pathway contains three new biotechnology courses that will introduce students to modern concepts and techniques in biotechnology, and prepare them for entry level technician positions or post-secondary study. In addition to the existing Introduction to Healthcare Science course, the career pathway consists of an Introductory Biotechnology Course, an Applied Biotechnology Course, and an optional Internship/ Independent study course.

Georgia Bio assisted educators in developing the career pathway and is working with four county school districts within the Innovation Crescent to pilot the courses with funding from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development. The Innovation Crescent is a 13-county region from Atlanta to Athens

 “Approval of this high school career pathway by the state is a key step forward in Georgia’s development of a continuous, seamless system of training in the life sciences,” notes Charles Craig, president of Georgia Bio.  “This capacity for lifelong learning is important for retaining and attracting the life sciences industry in our state.”

The Biotechnology Research and Development Career Pathway was identified as a priority based on the Governor Sonny Perdue’s strategic industries initiative. Curriculum teams, consisting of teachers (both academic and CTAE), post-secondary education faculty (Department of Technical and Adult Education and Board of Regents), business and industry representatives, and national curriculum experts worked with the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) to develop performance standards for the CTAE curriculum. 

“Biotechnology courses in the high school appeal to a broad range of high school students, with the hands-on approach motivating students to continue science-related training,” said James Woodard, CTAE Director for GDOE.  “This curriculum will help local districts offer this training to meet the needs of their students and local industries.”

For more information on the newly approved pathway, visit the Georgia Department of Education website:  www.georgiastandards.org/career.aspx?PageReq=HSPhaseIII

Georgia Bio represents over 330 pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies, universities, research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of products that improve the health and quality of life people worldwide. For more information, visit www.gabio.org.

Company to raise $23M for reformulated drug

Atlanta Business Chronicle, 07/25/08
Wynden Pharmaceuticals Inc. plans to raise $23 million to test and eventually commercialize a drug targeted at the cardiology and oncology markets. The Alpharetta-based specialty pharmaceutical company, which employs about six, has changed the formulation of an existing nutritional supplement. more

Theragenics to acquire NeedleTech

Atlanta Business Chronicle, 07/18/08
Theragenics Corp. will buy NeedleTech Products Inc. in a $47.8 million cash deal. The deal should close in the third quarter of 2008, Buford, Ga.-based Theragenics (NYSE: TGX) said. more

HIV drug tests set for Phase 2
More hurdles ahead, but Atlanta's GeoVax says its vaccine shows 'significant promise.'

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/08/08
Despite the failure last fall of Merck & Co.'s AIDS vaccine, a fledgling Atlanta biotechnology company, GeoVax Inc., is charging ahead into advanced tests of a new drug that it says shows "significant promise."
"We've had excellent results in our early stage human trials," said Emory University's Harriet Robinson, leader of a team of scientists working on the vaccine. more

Sciele Pharma Announces That Addrenex Has Completed Enrollment of Pivotal Phase III Trial for Clonicel for ADHD

ATLANTA, June 3, 2008
Sciele Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCRX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that Addrenex Pharmaceuticals has completed patient enrollment of its first Phase III clinical trial in the U.S. for Clonicel to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Addrenex is also continuing to enroll patients in an additional Phase III trial using Clonicel in combination with stimulants such as methylphenidate and dextro-amphetamine/amphetamine to treat ADHD. more

Altea Therapeutics Announces Positive Clinical Results for its Basal Insulin Transdermal Patch in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

ATLANTA, Ga., October 30, 2007.
Altea Therapeutics has achieved sustained and steady basal levels of insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes using a small transdermal patch delivering recombinant human insulin in a cost-effective manner. These results were presented this week at the SMi 8th Annual Diabetes Conference held in London, United Kingdom. more

Emory Launches Joint Vaccine Center in India with International Biotechnology Center

ATLANTA, January 31, 2008
Two international leaders in vaccine science and technology--the Emory Vaccine Center and the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)--have joined forces to launch the Joint ICGEB-Emory Vaccine Center in New Delhi, India. more

USDA Grants Conditional Approval for First Therapeutic Vaccine to Treat Cancer
Merial's New Vaccine Treats Deadly Cancer in Dogs

DULUTH, GA, March 26, 200
Merial, the world's leading animal health company, gained conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a breakthrough vaccine to treat canine melanoma, a common yet deadly form of cancer in dogs. This is the first time that the U.S. government has approved a therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of cancer – in either animals or humans. more

CryoLife Announces First Implant of Combination Aortic-Mitral Allograft Heart Valve at the Cleveland Clinic

ATLANTA, May 12
CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE: CRY), a biomaterials, medical device and tissue processing company, today announced the first implantation of the combination aortic-mitral allograft heart valve in a patient at the Cleveland Clinic. more