As U.S.-China biotech race heats up, Seattle makes its case to D.C.
Seattle life sciences leaders told the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology that the region has strong scientific innovation but needs greater domestic manufacturing capacity and a stronger workforce pipeline to keep biotechnology commercialization in the United States.
Local companies described difficulties finding U.S. manufacturers with the expertise and capacity to produce specialized biotechnology products at commercial scale, while the commission has recommended federal investment in manufacturing infrastructure and workforce development. Commissioner Alexander Titus said, “We want our industries to be able to produce here,” linking domestic production capacity to broader national security goals.
Expanding biomanufacturing infrastructure and training pathways cold help Washington’s established research institutions and biotechnology companies translate more of the region’s scientific advances into commercial production and jobs locally.