Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), a trailblazer in cell programming and biosecurity, welcomed members of Congress dedicated to bolstering the U.S. bioeconomy in the interest of national and economic security. The event featured a comprehensive tour of Ginkgo's expansive facility and insightful discussions highlighting its pivotal role as a provider of biotechnology services to companies of all sizes across various sectors of the economy.

With a keen awareness of the risks associated with relying on international chip fabrication plants, representatives from the United States House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party were granted an exclusive glimpse into Ginkgo's operational facility spanning over 300,000 square feet. They also received a preview of Ginkgo's upcoming Biofab1, a state-of-the-art facility covering more than 250,000 square feet, which is currently under construction. Discussions centered on the implications for economic competition within the multi-trillion dollar bioeconomy.

Much like chip manufacturers and cloud computing companies have revolutionized the digital economy, Ginkgo's Foundry offers companies the flexibility and scalability needed to develop and commercialize bio-based products efficiently. Leveraging advanced automation and vast biological datasets, Ginkgo aims to reduce R&D costs and enhance the speed and success rate of customer programs. The company's roster of partners includes industry giants like Pfizer, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Bayer, Syngenta, Corteva, Sumitomo, Solvay, and numerous others across biopharma, agriculture, specialty chemicals, and various other sectors.

The Foundry and Biofab1 have gained heightened national security significance in light of emerging generative AI capabilities, which have the potential to accelerate biotechnology R&D across diverse fields. Biofab1, slated to commence operations early next year, is poised to significantly augment Ginkgo's capacity to generate biological data. Last summer, Ginkgo forged a strategic partnership with Google Cloud aimed at harnessing Ginkgo's Foundry and vast biological data assets to develop cutting-edge Large Language Models (LLMs). These models are designed to expedite innovation and discovery in drug development, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and biosecurity.

Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Chairman of the United States House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party: "Boston is one of the epicenters for biotech innovation in America. Given that this is a critical technology with national security, economic, and ethical implications, we came here to talk to the experts and figure out the right strategy, so that we, and not the Chinese Communist Party, can dominate this technology and set ethical rules of the road."

Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks: "We built the Foundry - and are building Biofab1 - to create more opportunities for our partners to innovate in health, agriculture, food, and across industries. Essentially, our facilities are factories that produce the biological data that powers the AI-enabled bioeconomy, and it was an honor to share them with members of the Committee." 

During the scheduled hearing titled "Growing Stakes: The Bioeconomy and American National Security," Jason Kelly, a key figure at Ginkgo, was set to testify before the Committee. However, the hearing has been postponed due to inclement weather conditions, underscoring the gravity of the topics at hand.

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