Senator Todd Young urges White House to appoint biotech leader amid rising Chinese innovation

Senator Todd Young, chair of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, told Fierce he is concerned about China’s expanding role in biopharma.

The commission notes that Chinese companies have moved from generic manufacturing to leading innovative drug development, now accounting for more than two thirds of global biopharma licensing deal value this year, up from about half in 2025 and under 5% five years ago.

While Congress debates bills to limit U.S. investment in Chinese biotech and to onshore manufacturing, Young argues the bigger threat is China’s growing capacity for novel therapeutics, which could shift the strategic balance.

He suggests placing a biotech expert with direct access to the president in the White House to shape policy and protect U.S. national security interests.