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On Day 3 of the BIO International Convention, we learned about the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology—more on that, plus a few takeaways on leadership and innovation. (729 words, 3 minutes, 38 seconds) |
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How to follow Good Day BIO Live at BIO 2024 |
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- Follow Bio.News for panel recaps, exclusive Q&As, and much more.
- Join the conversation on X and LinkedIn, with hashtag #BIO2024. Watch for exclusive video content and repost-worthy quotes.
- Watch your inbox for highlights right here at 10 AM ET/7 AM PT.
What we’re watching on Thursday: It’s a shorter day, but no less important. The WHO aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030—a panel with Merck and Roche will explore how. Plus, ARPA-H is here to talk about opportunities and best practices for engaging with them. |
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‘A strong biotech sector is a prepared biotech sector’ |
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Day 3 of the 2024 BIO International Convention brought together the leadership of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), which is working to ensure the government advances innovation and mitigates risk.
About the NSCEB: Created by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the bipartisan, bicameral commission includes 12 commissioners who are subject-matter experts, chaired by Dr. Jason Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Gingko Bioworks.
What they’re doing: working on a set of policy recommendations (including actual bill text) at the intersection of national security and emerging biotech, covering a wide range of issues from building the workforce and strengthening supply chains to how the emerging biotech can be integrated into national defense strategy.
Why it matters: “A strong biotech sector is a prepared biotech sector,” said Alina Meltaus, Chief of Staff of the Commission. We need to make sure we have what’s needed before we need it, by making sure we are “enabling innovation” while also mitigating risk.
What’s next: The Commission invites industry to engage in the dialogue—learn more at biotech.senate.gov and take this survey to let the Commission know about your future workforce needs. |
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“Biology itself is so powerful. And the ever-increasing ability for humans to tell it what to do unlocks enormous power,” said Dr. Jason Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, speaking on the mainstage earlier in the day. “A big part of what we’re trying to figure out in biotech is what are the enabling technologies for what we want to do? I’d say that’s 70% of our effort. And then the other 30% of our attention is national security.”
More Reading: Ginkgo Bioworks CEO Dr. Jason Kelly penned an op-ed for Bio.News about the work of the Commission and how to chart a path to advance U.S. biotech leadership—click here to read and share.
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Dr. Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, in conversation with BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley on June 5, 2024. |
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A dose of inspiration – and a warning
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The past few days at the 2024 BIO International Convention have brought together so many industry leaders—here are just a few of the insights we’re taking away with us.
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Admiral William McRaven and BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley discuss leadership and biotech's critical role in national security —June 5, 2024. |
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“Aviation now consumes roughly 100 billion gallons per year of fossil jet fuel and accounts for about 3% of global CO2 emissions,”said Emily Carlton, a policy specialist at LanzaJet. “Our ethanol to SAF conversion technology is very promising solution because it can use any source of low-carbon, sustainable ethanol, from energy crops to waste and even carbon off gasses. So that gives it virtually unlimited potential to scale.” |
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“We’re at an extraordinary moment in time where technology and biology are coming together,”said Amgen CEO Robert A. Bradway—but policy, particularly the small molecule provision of the Inflation Reduction Act, might thwart progress. “It is unfortunate that there are some interesting, promising small molecules for cancer research that that may not see the light of day because of that.” |
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Spotted at BIO: Dr. David Fajgenbaum, co-Founder and President of Every Cure, which was recently awarded a $48.3 million contract from ARPA-H to utilize AI to revolutionize the future of repurposing existing drugs to serve new patient populations. |
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President Biden’s Thursday: Greeting veterans at Normandy and participating in a D-Day ceremony. What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: A large bipartisan delegation will join President Biden at Normandy. No votes scheduled |
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