The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), a prominent US industry trade group, is conducting a survey among its members to assess the extent of reliance on China-based Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), according to a report by FiercePharma.com. The survey, titled “Understanding Key Elements of the Biopharma Supply Chain,” aims to gauge the industry’s dependence and potential decoupling efforts.
In a communication to its members, BIO Chief Science Officer Dr. Carrie Esham emphasized that the survey’s objective is to “understand and begin to quantify the magnitude of effort and time required to potentially decouple links to China-CDMOs.” The initiative seeks to “educate and inform policymakers about the biopharma supply chain operations and ensure patient access to necessary medicines,” as confirmed by BIO.
This survey arrives as the BioSecurity bill, one of the bipartisan proposals by US congressmen, has reached its mark-up stage, scheduled for May 15, 2023. The bill proposes to bar US companies from engaging with several named China-based firms, including the prominent CDMO WuXi AppTec (SHA: 603259, HKG: 2359). The survey’s findings will be crucial in providing insights into potential industry disruptions caused by such legislative actions. BIO, which previously lobbied on behalf of WuXi AppTec, shifted its stance in March this year, supporting the BioSecurity bill after WuXi AppTec voluntarily withdrew its membership from the organization.- Flcube.com
