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Friday, October 11th, 2024

U.S. Reps. Moolenaar, Krishnamoorthi seek intelligence briefing on GenScript Biotech over Chinese ties

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In a letter written to both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director and director of National Intelligence (DNI), the leaders of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party pushed for a briefing on the biotechnology firm GenScript Biotech Corporation.

The crux of their concerns were GenScript and its three main business segments’ – Bestzyme, Legend Biotech, and ProBio – ties to the Chinese government and the national security concerns that could arise from that. Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) made the request of FBI Director Christopher Wray and DNI Director Avril Haines.

“GenScript’s role as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), including services such as the production of custom gene synthesis for companies and U.S. Government entities, raises concerns about potential risks to the intellectual property of U.S. firms and GenScript’s broader role in advancing the PRC’s biotech capabilities,” the lawmakers wrote.

The legislators accused Genscript of working to build choke points into critical areas of biotechnology on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. As a result, they urged DNI and FBI to brief the Select Committee on available intelligence and law enforcement information regarding GenScript and its subsidiaries, so as to identify the extent of the CCP influence and control in their operations. Additionally, they wanted reports on the implications of their efforts to displace U.S. leadership in the biotechnology sector – and the risks this could pose to the nation’s security.

“GenScript’s public statements and the active role of its internal CCP Committee in guiding company strategy suggest a concerted effort to advance Beijing’s goal of reducing reliance on foreign biotech and achieving a dominant position in the global industry,” the lawmakers said.

They cited public reporting and GenScript’s own leadership positions in raising their concerns. In their letter, they coupled these with knowledge of the U.S. government contracts GenScript has won since 2023 with the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Agriculture (USDA), Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). Those contracts range from customized protein production, to laboratory equipment, drug services, and more.