A bipartisan commission has issued an urgent warning that the United States could lose its competitive advantage in biotechnology to China without immediate government intervention and increased funding. The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, established by Congress in 2022, released a comprehensive report Tuesday highlighting the critical need for action within the next three years to prevent an irreversible setback in America’s biotech capabilities.
The commission, comprising 11 members including representatives from both political parties, recommends a minimum investment of $15 billion over five years to enhance the nation’s biotechnology infrastructure. Additionally, they advocate for creating a National Biotechnology Coordination Office within the White House to oversee strategic initiatives.
According to the report, China’s aggressive pursuit of biotechnology supremacy over the past two decades has positioned it to potentially overtake the United States. Commission chair Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) emphasized that biotechnology represents the next crucial phase in the ongoing technological competition between the two nations.
The commission expressed particular concern about China’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence tools in biotechnology and the growing influence of Chinese companies like WuXi AppTec in the global market. They cautioned against treating Chinese state-backed enterprises as conventional market competitors, suggesting that higher-cost alternatives might be necessary to maintain strategic advantage.
Among the commission’s key recommendations is the establishment of an Independence Investment Fund to support biotechnology startups and the development of precommercial bioindustrial manufacturing facilities. They also proposed implementing outbound investment restrictions to prevent U.S. capital from supporting Chinese biotechnology
developments that could pose national security risks.
However, these recommendations come at a challenging time, as the Trump administration has ordered significant cuts to research funding and extensive layoffs across regulatory agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration. The commission’s emphasis on attracting international scientific talent also conflicts with current
administrative policies that have created uncertainty in academic circles through visa restrictions and increased scrutiny of
universities.
The biotechnology sector is closely monitoring potential trade policies, particularly regarding pharmaceuticals. While the industry was exempted from President Trump’s latest tariffs announced on April 2, there remains speculation about future sector-specific duties as part of broader efforts to boost domestic biomanufacturing.
Trump has expressed optimism about pharmaceutical manufacturing’s return to American soil, citing recent investments by major companies like Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson in new U.S. facilities. Despite these positive developments, the commission’s report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive government support to maintain America’s competitive edge in biotechnology.
The recommendations echo the impact of a previous commission whose work contributed to the passage of the 2022 CHIPS Act, which focused on semiconductor manufacturing and research. Similarly, this commission’s findings are intended to serve as a foundation for future legislation to strengthen America’s position in the global
biotechnology race.
The report emphasizes that without swift and decisive action, the United States risks permanently losing its historical advantage in biotechnology innovation. The commission’s recommendations represent a comprehensive approach to maintaining American leadership in this crucial sector, combining increased funding, strategic policy changes, and enhanced coordination between government agencies and private industry.
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