New Federal Advocacy Opportunity: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology

Leadership of the U.S. Senate and House Armed Services Committees recently announced the full roster of biotechnology and national security commissioners for the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (Commission). This commission’s recommendations may influence national policy in areas relevant to biopharmaceutical companies, such as funding opportunities, data-sharing mandates and prohibitions, and cross-border activities. We provide a brief overview of the Commission, highlight areas where its upcoming reports to Congress and the President may affect the private biotechnology sector, and discuss potential industry engagement with the Commission.

Created by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022, the Commission is tasked “to examine and make recommendations with respect to emerging biotechnology as it pertains to current and future missions and activities of the Department of Defense.” The NDAA lays out a variety of topics for the Commission’s consideration, ranging from assessment of the emerging biotechnology landscape and the role of the United States within it to the ethical, legal, social, and environmental implications of increased use of, and reliance on, biotechnology processes and materials.

The exact contours of the Commission’s analysis remain to be seen, but, among other mandates, the NDAA directs the Commission to examine ways to foster and stimulate “the growth of the United States bioeconomy and commercial industry.” As a result, the Commission is likely to bring enhanced congressional focus to the private biotechnology sector, particularly in areas with relevance to defense, such as

• biomanufacturing platforms
• synthetic biology
• biosecurity capabilities, such as pathogen monitoring
• vaccines and therapies for diseases and conditions with national security relevance, such as infectious diseases and post-traumatic stress
• technologies that could be considered dual-use research of concern

Beyond increased attention on specific topics, the Commission’s work could shape national policy in ways that directly affect biotechnology businesses. Its recommendations might, for instance, lead to

• funding opportunities, such as public-private ventures and research funding;
• data-sharing mandates or prohibitions; or
• opportunities for, or restrictions on, international cooperation and collaboration.

The Commission’s recommendations could also address topics with indirect significance for the private sector, such as biotechnology supply chain security and biotechnology standards-setting.

The Commission will make its recommendations in an interim and a final report prepared over the course of two years. As the Commission embarks on its analysis, biopharmaceutical companies stand to benefit by keeping abreast of updates on its work. In addition, some companies may wish to engage with the Commission to provide information and expertise relevant to its mandate to advise Congress and the President on the latest developments — and anticipated future advances — in biotechnology.