Good Day BIO: Sustainability is sweet

As COP26 continues, we look at how food manufacturers are utilizing regenerative farming to make more sustainable sweets. Plus, everyone’s talking about “supply chains,” so we examine the impact of logjams on the pharmaceutical sector. (727 words, 3 minutes, 38 seconds)

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How biotech is making your Halloween haul more sustainable

There’s no need to feel guilty about sneaking another Snickers from the Halloween haul. Thanks to biotechnology, many of your favorite candy companies are more sustainable than ever. 

The manufacturer of Snickers, M&Ms, and Twix, Mars Incorporated has committed to reaching net-zero emissions across its entire supply chain, including all scope 3 emissions (like business travel, retail customers, and product end-of-life), per a press release. 

A key element of the plan is “working with farmers and suppliers to promote improved agricultural practices, to promote sustainable land use and to support science and technology, such as genomics research, that pinpoints how to produce more resilient and higher yielding crops. Mars will also take further action to improve soil health to unlock crop yield potential and provide other environmental and climate change benefits,” says the company. 

The candy division previously announced a partnership with BIO member Danimer Scientific,to develop biodegradable packaging for Skittles made from soy and canola oils and a natural fermentation process. 

Prefer cake and ice cream? General Mills, the parent company of brands including Betty Crocker and Häagen-Dazs, recently announced they will reach similar targets by incorporating regenerative farming techniques like no-till farming. 

Beyond these brands, biotech is improving many chocolate treats—using gene editing to make cocoa resistant to disease and climate change. 

In context: With a warming planet and a growing population, the sustainability of food systems—and the important role of biotech in them—must be a key part of the conversations at COP26 if we want to meet our global climate targets. Read more about the G20 and Glasgow climate discussions.

Supply chain logjams are taking a toll on the biotech sector

As we approach the holiday season, supply chain logjams are a major concern. But never mind toys and electronics—how are supply chain challenges affecting the biotech sector? We take a look.

Supply chain logjams are having a widespread impact on health care—causing shortages of aluminum needed for pharmaceutical packaging, crutches and wheelchairs, as Axios reported yesterday, to the anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab, which treats both COVID-19 and patients undergoing chemotherapy. 

More than 100 drugs are in short supply nationwide, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Three of the top five shortages are drugs used for antibiotics, chemotherapy, and heart conditions, per the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 

But this is not a new problem. Supply chain challenges have been building up for decades—and “warehouse, distribution and truck driver shortages were bad before COVID,” Robert Handfield, the Bank of America professor of supply chain management at NC State, told the Los Angeles Times. 

Easing tariffs could help alleviate some problems. The Biden administration reached an agreement last week with the E.U., which will now permit limited volumes of E.U. aluminum and steel to enter the U.S. market, free of tariffs. 

G20 leaders also agreed to “foster greater international cooperation on near-term supply-chain disruptions,” including a “plan to strengthen and diversify the entire supply-chain ecosystem from reliance on certain raw materials to manufacturing to shipping and distribution,” per the White House. 

Looking ahead: Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo will host a summit next year with foreign counterparts to discuss how to make the global supply chain more resilient.

More Health Care News: 

Reuters: White House says 15 million COVID-19 shots will roll out to children by next week
“‘We are ready to execute, pending CDC’s decision. And starting the week of November 8th, our vaccination program for kids ages 5 through 11 will be running at full strength,’ [White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff] Zients told reporters at a briefing.” 

President Biden’s Tuesday: This morning at COP26, he gave remarks on forest and land use as part of a commitment by 100 world leaders to end deforestation and land degradation by 2030. Other topics of discussion today include the Global Methane Pledge and “Accelerating Clean Technology Innovation and Deployment.” President Biden is scheduled to hold a press conference at 3:30 PM ET. Meanwhile, the administration is expected to release details on a vaccine mandate for private employers soon.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: “Don’t expect a vote on the social spending package today—and maybe not this week,” says POLITICO Pulse. This means you still have time to tell your Members of Congress why drug price controls like price negotiation would harm patients and future cures—visit www.SaveCures.com to weigh in.