WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan coalition in Congress is moving to strengthen America’s biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing base with the introduction of the Biomanufacturing Excellence Act — a sweeping proposal designed to counter rising global competition and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.
The legislation, introduced in the House by Representative Chrissy Houlahan alongside Reps. Jim Baird, David Rouzer, and Deborah Ross, establishes a national strategy to expand domestic biomanufacturing capacity. Senators Chris Coons and Ted Budd are leading the Senate companion bill, underscoring broad bipartisan support for accelerating innovation in an industry central to national security, public health, and economic competitiveness.
Backed by a growing body of federal analysis, including findings from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, lawmakers warn that the United States risks falling behind global rivals without significant investment. China’s share of global pharmaceutical output has climbed from roughly 5 percent in 2002 to nearly 25 percent by 2019, prompting concern over supply chain vulnerabilities and the availability of life-saving medicines.
The Biomanufacturing Excellence Act would create a National Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Center of Excellence — a public-private hub intended to drive innovation, commercialization, and workforce development. The center would unite academic researchers with industry leaders to test manufacturing technologies under industrial conditions, identify barriers to scaling production, and train the next generation of biomanufacturing professionals.
Houlahan said the initiative addresses a serious bottleneck in America’s biotechnology ecosystem: the limited ability to scale scientific breakthroughs into real-world treatments. She emphasized that southeastern Pennsylvania — home to a dense network of research institutions and pharmaceutical manufacturers — stands to benefit from expanded national infrastructure.
Other House supporters argued that a stronger domestic biomanufacturing sector is critical for public health preparedness, innovation in disease treatment, and resilience against foreign supply disruptions. Senate sponsors Coons and Budd said the bill strengthens U.S. leadership in a field that is rapidly reshaping healthcare, agriculture, and defense.
The proposal has garnered endorsements from major industry and research organizations, including the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Delaware BioScience Association, Life Sciences Pennsylvania, and the American Alliance for Biomanufacturing.
If enacted, the legislation would represent one of the most significant federal investments to date in biopharmaceutical manufacturing — a foundational step toward ensuring that future medical breakthroughs are both discovered and produced on U.S. soil.
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