Each year Georgia BIO, a non-profit organization that promotes the interests and growth of the life sciences industry in Georgia, recognizes Georgia companies, innovators, and leaders at their annual awards gala. Held at the Fox Theater’s Egyptian Ballroom, the event provides an opportunity for the Georgia Life Sciences community to get together, celebrate, and recognize successes from the past year. The 2016 edition of the program saw numerous Emory-related companies honored as well as two distinguished members of the OTT team.
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Georgia BIO Deal of the Year – The annual Deal of the Year awards recognize transactions by life sciences companies in Georgia such as financings, partnering agreements, and government grants that are significant to the state’s industry development. Two Emory-related ventures were included in the 2016 edition: EGL Genetic Diagnostics LLC is a joint venture between Emory University and Eurofins and the merger of Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. and Emory startup RFS Pharma, LLC.
Kevin Lei, Community Awards Winner -
Georgia BIO Community Awards – The Community Awards recognize individuals, companies and organizations for significant contributions to Georgia’s life sciences industry. This year OTT’s Director of Faculty & Startup Support, Kevin Lei, MBA, a 28 year veteran of the life sciences industry was honored for his tireless support of Emory faculty, entrepreneurs and their companies, as well as his support to the Georgia life sciences community as a whole.
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Georgia BIO Industry Growth Awards – The Industry Growth Awards are the highest honors bestowed each year by Georgia Bio. They recognize individuals in the public and private sectors who have made extraordinary contributions to the growth of Georgia’s life sciences industry. OTT Executive Director, Todd Sherer, PhD, and Daniel White, CEO of Emory startup Clearside Biomedical, were both honored.
“Every year I look forward to attending the annual Georgia BIO awards; it’s not often we get to connect with colleagues and partners from around the whole state,” said Senior Licensing Associate Cliff Michaels. “This year was particularly enjoyable with so many great Emory-related honorees, including our own team members. Few work harder to help build our state life science’s ecosystem than Todd & Kevin, what a great way to see them recognized for their work.”