Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners

University of Georgia Professor Quingguo "Jack" Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident company Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer Meissner Corporation were recognized for their achievements in the life science industry at Georgia Bio's Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta.

Presented by Georgia Bio, the state's life science trade association, the Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to grow the life science industry and foster strategic partnerships that create a healthier world. Awardees were honored at the organization's largest annual gathering, the Georgia Life Sciences Summit.

"Enhancing human and animal health is a key facet of UGA's land-grant mission," said Derek Eberhart, associate vice president for research and executive director of Innovation Gateway, UGA's research commercialization program. "This recognition underscores the impact of UGA research on Georgia's growing life science industry and highlights the university's role in catalyzing the regional innovation ecosystem."

Huang received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his work developing the DE-FLUORO system. The Innovation Award recognizes those who are forging new ground by thinking outside traditional paradigms to create unique technologies.

Licensed by a global engineering consulting firm AECOM, DE-FLUORO is an electrochemical process that eliminates per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water streams. PFAS, linked to negative health effects on humans and animals, are overtly present in water resources due to their use in many industrial processes and consumer products, warranting their nickname of "forever chemicals."

A professor of crop and soil sciences, Huang studies environmental catalysis and its application in environmental remediation and management. Several environmental issues involve catalytic processes, such as decomposition of pollutants for air, water and soil remediation, hydrogen production, and carbon dioxide reduction, to name a few. His work on the DE-FLUORO system also earned him UGA's 2024 Inventor of the Year Award.

"I am happy the work we have done is recognized, and happier that it has a use by people to solve problems" Huang said.

Dalan Animal Health earned a Deal of the Year Award for Private Financing at the summit.

Dalan moved to UGA's Delta Innovation Hub in 2022 to gain access to a top research university with exceptional veterinary and agriculture schools. Working in Athens and partnering with UGA's Innovation District enabled Dalan to continue growth and success in life science research.

Deal of the Year awards recognize significant transactions made by life sciences companies that contribute to the development of the state's life sciences industry. Dalan Animal Health is receiving this award for its $4.5 million seed funding investment to accelerate global expansion and product pipeline.

Lastly, Meissner Corporation, a life sciences manufacturer, also received a Deal of the Year Award, theirs for economic development. Meissner invested $243 million into a new manufacturing facility in Athens that is expected to employ nearly 1,800 people over the next eight years.

Meissner's collaborations with the University System of Georgia, including the UGA and Athens Technical College, will continue to expand as operations begin.

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