Senator Todd Young (R-IN), chairman of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, is calling for a dedicated biotech leader in the White House who has the president's ear. In an interview with Fierce Biotech, Young said he is worried about the rapid expansion of China's biopharma sector and the implications for US competitiveness and national security.
Young's proposal appears to be a response to what he sees as a fragmented US approach to biotechnology policy. Rather than having biotech issues handled across multiple agencies, he wants a senior official who can coordinate strategy and ensure the president is directly engaged on the issue.
The senator's comments highlight a growing bipartisan concern in Washington about China's advances in biotechnology. However, the source does not detail specific policy proposals or evidence of China's growth, only Young's stated concerns and his suggested remedy of a White House-level coordinator.