Announcing the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative

President Biden last week signed an Executive Order and the White House hosted a “summit” meeting to launch a new national initiative on biotechnology and biomanufacturing.  Bioengineering, particularly in Lower Earth Orbit, is a priority area for ASME, and the Executive Order specifically calls for industry-led standards, which is one of ASME’s strengths.
 
The President’s Executive Order allocates $2 billion in funding to:
 

• Leverage biotechnology to strengthen the supply chain.

 

• Expand domestic biomanufacturing.

 

• Foster innovation in biomanufacturing.

 

• Bring bio products to market.

 

• Train the next generation of biotechnologists.

 

• Drive regulatory innovation to increase access to products of biotechnology.

 

• Advance measurements and standards for the bioeconomy.
  This is where ASME comes in. For example, our “V&V40” standard details the use of modeling and simulation for medical device development, which is relevant to bioengineering.

 

• Reduce risk through investing in biosecurity innovations.

 

• Facilitate data-sharing to advance the bioeconomy.

ASME will continue to monitor this initiative and watch for opportunities for our members.
 
>> Read the full Executive Order and announcement here.