This month, UCB’s Vice President for U.S. Corporate Affairs, Patricia A. Fritz, was elected chair of Georgia Bio’s Board of Directors for the 2018-2019 term. Dr. Lee Herron, Vice President for Venture Development at the Georgia Research Alliance will serve as Vice Chair. Ms. Fritz succeeds Dr. Jay Yadav, Founder and CEO of MiRus, who will remain on the Georgia Bio Board and Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair.

“We are thrilled to welcome Patty as our board chair. As a long-time board member she demonstrates the commitment that our state’s top leaders have in supporting the growth and innovation in Georgia’s life science ecosystem,” said Russell Allen, Georgia Bio president and CEO. Allen continued, “As Georgia’s life sciences sector becomes more recognized for its global leadership, it is important that we show that the community also values gender diversity, fosters leadership opportunities for women and promotes women to its highest offices. Electing Patty is one way we as an organization are achieving that.”

Ms. Fritz and Dr. Herron assume leadership of Georgia Bio during the most exciting time in the organization’s 30-year history. Membership is rapidly growing, the organization is embarking on a new industry study, and it is increasing its efforts to improve the workforce for the sector. Allen added, “We are witnessing a maturity of our industry that is transforming Georgia into a leading life sciences state. It is appropriate that our new chair has played a strong role in this growth via UCB, an innovative global pharmaceutical company that has become such a strong community partner in Atlanta.”

”It is a privilege to serve as the first female chair of Georgia Bio and continue encouraging diversity and inclusion in the life sciences industry,” said Fritz. “Georgia has a rich community of life science leaders and together with Georgia Bio we can push the boundaries of the known and deliver new solutions for people in need. Together we can grow the recognition of innovation taking place here in Georgia and continue working to solve our healthcare challenges.”

Patty Fritz is vice president, U.S. Corporate Affairs for UCB, Inc, overseeing policy, government affairs, advocacy, patient engagement, communications, and UCBCares. Patty leads efforts to create value for patients and their families through strategic engagement and positively influencing the healthcare environment and policy landscape. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Patty is focused on finding opportunities to better understand the unique needs of patients and delivering value. She is a champion of innovative projects to spotlight the importance of access and care for people living with severe diseases. Recent efforts Patty has led include collaborations with the VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence, PatientsLikeMe®, Emory University, Georgia Tech, and IBM. Outside of UCB, Patty also serves as a member of the Board of Councilors for The Carter Center.

Patty’s inspirational leadership has made her an effective and admired leader, not just among her colleagues at UCB but within the industry as a whole, and most importantly with the communities of patients she serves.