Biden to spur biomanufacturing, reduce reliance on China with executive order

The Covid-19 pandemic created a sense of urgency around developing a clear and consistent industrial strategy, according to two of the people, who pointed to the fast development and production of messenger RNA vaccines as an example of successful domestic investment. Looking beyond health care, the US will aim to advance biomanufacturing in agriculture, energy and other industries.

The order will outline how the US should develop a trained workforce capable of using naturally occurring processes to create bio-based products and materials, the people said. The Biden administration plans to deploy resources to support scaling out biomanufacturing infrastructure, although it’s not yet clear whether there’s funding to back the executive order.

The White House will suggest that improving domestic biomanufacturing will ultimately lower prices and strengthen supply-chain security, according to the people.

Two weeks ago, Biden signed an executive order to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing that’s also part of the administration’s drive to shift the balance of US competition with China.

In May, China’s National Development and Reform Commission released a 5-year plan for bioeconomic development, which described efforts to accelerate new technologies and spur growth in health care, agriculture and fuel. As tensions mount between the US and China, the Biden administration has looked for ways to curb investment in China’s industries.