As Atlanta’s prominence within the tech space continues to rise, its significance in the biotech industry continues to grow stronger. The city is a true leader when it comes to life sciences. According to a CBRE report, Atlanta's life sciences markets was among the fastest growing in the nation between 2014 and 2017, sparking significant growth in the sector’s employment rate. In truth, the city could have Emory University to thank for this economic and intellectual boost. CBRE reported that more than $734 million was given to the university for bioscience and life sciences research in 2018. And according to experts, this funding couldn’t have arrived at a more crucial time. According to a Deloitte study, prescription drug sales are expected to reach $1.2 trillion in 2024, as drug research continues to churn out new life-changing discoveries.
Backed by ample funding and scientific brainpower, Atlanta is poised to become a biotech hotspot, ready to meet the demands of an ever-changing industry. In response to the world’s growing need for clinical research and drug development, biotech companies are developing new ways to understand diseases and health conditions, whether it be through cellular research or regenerative therapies. Atlanta boasts a sprawling ecosystem of companies leading the life sciences sector, from fast-growing startups to globally recognized bioscience leaders. These 20 biotech companies in Atlanta prove that this Southern city is ready to tackle the world’s health concerns — one groundbreaking innovation at a time.
Biotech Companies In Atlanta To Know
- NeurOp
- Genentech
- VIVEX Biologics
- Jeevan Biosciences
- MiMedx
- QUE Oncology
- Caprico Biotechnologies
- AKESOgen
Founded: 2015
Focus: Cancer Research
What they do: To streamline the healthcare experience, Tempus is placing an immense amount of clinical and molecular data at the fingertips of professionals. The company scans through the world’s largest data collection of its kind with AI technology, providing tailored solutions to address topics related to cancer research.
Founded: 1976
Focus: Pharmaceutical Research
What they do: Genentech delivers innovative medicines to help find solutions for people facing the world’s most difficult-to-treat conditions. The company boasts a large number of transformational discoveries including the first targeted antibody for cancer and the first medicine for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Genentech became a member of the Roche Group in 2009, merging both organizations' pharmaceutical operations.
Founded: 2007
Focus: Cellular Research
What they do: Axion Biosystems develops technologies that provide access to cellular information analysis for research, clinical and drug discovery markets. The company investigates the function of cells in an easy-to-use assay, whether that entails tracking the growth and death of cancer cells or monitoring the behavior of excitable cells. Axion’s newer electrode-based technology, the Maestro Z, offers functional measures of cell growth, with applications in immuno-oncology and immuno-therapies.
Founded: 2008
Focus: Cell Research
What they do: Lena Biosciences seeks to simplify 3D cell culture and solve common problems scientists face in the lab. The company’s technologies are used for precision therapies, biomedical research and drug testing. Lena Biosciences’ aim is to accelerate scientific discovery by simplifying organ-on-a-chip technologies for everyday use by researchers of various skill levels.
Founded: 2007
Focus: Cancer Research
What they do: Phigenix, Inc. develops diagnostics and targeted therapies to help physicians determine treatment regimes. The company is currently developing diagnostic tests which may detect abnormalities at the pre-malignant state years before the onset of cancer, focusing these efforts on prostate and breast cancer research. Additionally, Phigenix is working on novel drugs, antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates to deactivate the cancer-causing protein for cancer treatment and/or prevention.
Founded: 2001
Focus: Drug Research + Discovery
What they do: NeurOp is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines for central nervous system disorders. The company specializes in the development of disease-activated small molecules for the treatment of conditions like ischemia, neuropathic pain, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Founded: 2002
Focus: Stem Cell Research
What they do: AlphaCord is a newborn stem cell banking company that aims to offer affordable stem cell preservation. The company's next-generation collection system enables hospital staff to see blood volume collections in real-time, which results in substantially higher recovery volumes. AlphaCord is dedicated to offering parents a low-cost option for stem cell preservation, making it available to everyone.
Founded: 2001
Focus: Vaccine Development
What they do: GeoVax Labs is a clinical-stage biotech company that develops human vaccines against infectious diseases. Located in nearby Smyrna, the company’s development programs are focused on preventative vaccines against HIV, Zika virus, hemorrhagic fever viruses and malaria, in addition to therapeutic vaccines for chronic Hepatitis B infections and cancers.
Founded: 2012
Focus: Biomaterials Development
What they do: VIVEX Biologics is a biomaterials developer focused on creating treatment options to advance clinical, surgical and therapeutic patient care. The company is creating implant technology for the purpose of stimulating bone regrowth. VIVEX Biologics seeks to create groundbreaking health products to meet the demands of a diverse, rapidly expanding market.
Founded: 1998
Focus: Nucleic Acid Research
What they do: Omega Bio-tek provides nucleic acid purification solutions, offering products for clinical and basic research, biotech and agricultural applications. The company’s wide range of products include nucleic acid isolation kits such as plasmid isolation kits, genomic DNA isolation kits, RNA isolation kits, and plant and animal tissue homogenizers. Omega Bio-Tek’s applications are designed for a variety of purposes including agriculture, environment and water, food safety and pathogen detection.
Founded: 2007
Focus: Sequencing + Molecular Genetic Diagnosis
What they do: Otogenetics Corporation provides products and services for the applications of next-generation sequencing and other molecular genetic diagnosis. The company specializes in offering high-coverage sequencing for panels of disease genes or pathway-focused genes including deafness genes and cancer genes. Otogenetics serves research institutions and clinical diagnostic laboratories in more than 30 countries.
Founded: 2007
Focus: Disease Research + Drug Testing
What they do: Jeevan Biosciences is committed to the development of cellular models for the investigation of neurologic diseases and drug testing. The company strives to bridge the gap between research, medicine and the quality of life for patient populations through its in vitro cellular model system. Jeevan Biosciences is driven by the aim to minimize or eliminate the need for animal model testing, thus reducing time to market and saving customers time and money in regard to drug development and evaluation initiatives.
Founded: 2010
Focus: Pharmacogenomics
What they do: Located in the nearby town of Norcross, AKESOgen is a biomarker, genomics and pharmacogenomics contract research organization. The company serves the academic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agricultural sectors, providing clinical trials, diagnostic clinical testing and research. AKESOgen’s research and clinical services include providing high-throughput biomarker profiling, cytogenomic arrays, sequencing, genotyping and epigenomic analysis.
Founded: 2010
Focus: Antibody Development
What they do: RayBiotech develops technologies and tools for genomics and proteomics research applications. The company provides proteins, antibodies and immunological kits, offering services used in scientific research as well including proteomics, biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. Located in Norcross, RayBiotech boasts a customer base that includes scientists in industry, academic and research institutes in 41 countries.
Founded: 2012
Focus: Glycoanalysis
What they do: Chemily, LLC specializes in cost-effective synthesis of glycan libraries, carbohydrate-based biochemicals, reagents and pharmaceuticals. The company aims to be a major supplier for carbohydrate-based biochemicals, reagents and pharmaceuticals, manufacturing products using its proprietary chemo-enzymatic and bioengineering technology. Chemily has also been developing sugar-containing small molecules in therapeutic treatment options for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Founded: 2013
Focus: Antibody Services
What they do: Founded by scientists specializing in chemistry, immunology and molecular biology, Caprico Biotechnologies provides a range of flow cytometry reagents and services. The company offers its services in support of basic research, clinical research, and clinical diagnostics applications. With more than 600 products, Caprico aims to provide adequate evaluation tools for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases in academic and clinical studies.
Founded: 2008
Focus: Regenerative Medicine
What they do: MiMedx is a biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets regenerative biologics. Located in neighboring Marietta, the company processes the human placental tissue utilizing its proprietary PURION Process to produce allografts. With over 90 pending applications, MiMedx has supplied over one million placental tissue-based allografts to date for application in various sectors of healthcare.
Founded: 2018
Focus: Viral Disease Research
What they do: Antios Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative therapies for viral diseases. Founded by Abel De La Rosa, Douglas Mayers and Idean Marvasty, the company is focused on the development of its lead oral drug candidate for a potentially curative treatment of hepatitis B.
Founded: 2015
Focus: Regenerative Research
What they do: AventaCell BioMedical Corp. develops novel human-derived products for use in cell culture and tissue regeneration. The company provides solutions for use in translational research of cell and tissue-based therapies to meet the need for animal serum-free cell expansion and production. AventaCell’s products are designed to support expansion and production of a broad range of cells including mesenchymal stem cells and multiple immunocell lines.
Founded: 1992
Focus: Clinical Research
What they do: Synexus is a site network organization that works on developments in the clinical trials industry. The company’s clinics specialize in the study of various health concerns including diabetes, respiratory ailments, skin conditions, chronic pain, as well as, mind, mood, and memory disorders. Synexus boasts a global network of 26 dedicated research centers spanning nine countries.
