Life Sciences under Biden

As the coronavirus swept across the globe over the past year, science has been in the spotlight, sometimes embraced, sometimes vilified.

The lackluster response by former US President Donald J. Trump’s administration to the coronavirus crisis at home and dismissal of much of the advice from science and health professionals contributed to hundreds of thousands of deaths and tarnished America’s reputation as a leader in scientific research and thinking. But America’s 46th president, Joseph R. Biden Jr., has indicated from the beginning of his first term that science will play a prominent role in his administration.

“I am feeling very optimistic,” says US Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat from the state of Connecticut, who is a big supporter of science initiatives. “It is refreshing to once again have a president and an administration that believes in science and is listening to the experts. This is something I certainly took for granted, and will never again.”

Immediate responses

Biden’s immediate priority has been slowing the spread of the coronavirus and getting as many Americans vaccinated against the virus as possible. He met his goal of vaccinating 100 million people in 100 days in only 58 days, and now he is aiming to reach 200 million by day 100.

President Joe Biden poses for his official portrait Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in the Library of the White House. Photo: Adam Schultz

The new president moved almost immediately to surround himself with science advisors. A statement from the White House in January announced the re-establishment of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), which had established in 1990, deactivated in January 2017 and revived on a small scale in 2019. The current PCAST is being co-chaired by the president’s science advisor and will advise the president on policy that affects science, technology, and innovation. The council will also advise the president on scientific and technical information that is needed to inform public policy relating to the economy, worker empowerment, education, energy, environment, public health, national and homeland security, racial equity and other topics.

”He believes in science”

In another sign of Biden’s commitment, he elevated the position of science advisor to a cabinet position. Biden nominated Dr. Eric Lander, PhD., founding director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, who was the lead author of the first paper announcing the details of the human genome, as director of Office of Science and Technology Policy and adviser on science. Lander is the first life scientist nominated to that position. As of late March, confirmation hearings had not been scheduled.

“It [the appointment] says he believes in science, in the importance of science and the need to have the voice of experienced, qualified scientists at the table. It’s a great first step,” says Kevin McCormack, senior director, public communications and patient advocate outreach at California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Kevin McCormack, senior director, public communication and patient advocate outreach, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Those in the administration, including the president himself and senior advisors in the executive office of the president, also will “seek input, advice, and the best-available science, data, and scientific and technological information from scientists, engineers and other experts in science, technology and innovation,” according to a White House statement.

Closer aligned the Swedish life science community

Other scientists, lawmakers and business community members are encouraged by what Biden has said and done so far.

“The atmosphere is much more open to science. Biden has determined what he needs to do to keep the coronavirus under control. He is someone who values science and values biomedicine.”

“Biden is a breath of fresh air,” according to Dr. Michael S. Lubell, PhD., a professor of physics at the City College of New York (CUNY) and an expert on science and technology policy. “The atmosphere is much more open to science. Biden has determined what he needs to do to keep the coronavirus under control. He is someone who values science and values biomedicine.” At the same time, to gain more support from the general population, both politicians and scientists have to ensure science is understandable and relevant, Lubell adds.

Left: Jacob Westerberg, Office Manager, New York, and Co-Lead Life Science Industry Practice, Americas for Business Sweden. Right: Dr. Michael S. Lubell, professor of physics at the City College of New York

Representatives of Business Sweden in the US are also optimistic about working with the Biden administration. “These are exciting times for Swedish companies and we expect increased collaboration between the two countries,” says Jacob Westerberg, Office Manager, New York, and Co-Lead Life Science Industry Practice, Americas for Business Sweden. “After the past four years, it feels like the US is closer aligned with the values of the Swedish business and life sciences community.”

To capitalize on the increased business opportunities between Sweden and the U.S., Business Sweden, together with Finland, Iceland, Norway and Denmark and the state of North Carolina, are offering digital health and medtech companies the chance to be part of the Nordic AMPlify program, an accelerated market entry access point to the U.S.

”Through a strong network of hospitals, health systems, venture capitalist and senior mentors, this program offers Nordic companies the competence and network needed to succeed in the American market,” says Westerberg.

Curing cancer and preventing a new pandemic

When the pandemic crisis is over, several says they expect certain issues, including cancer research, becoming a priority. Biden’s oldest son, Beau, died of brain cancer in 2015. “Curing cancer is something the American public is very interested in,” says Lubell. “This administrations offers some of the best opportunities for making advances.”

He expects biomedicine to get a lot of attention as well, because it is one of those fields that helps large numbers of people.

“Sweden’s Triple Helix model is a praised approach to tackling large scale issues.”

“I would say preventing the next pandemic is probably on the minds of most people,” Westerberg notes. Other issues of global concern to both the US and Sweden include ensuring continued equitable access to healthcare, the rise of tele-health and combatting the growing resistance of bacterial infections to antibiotics. “Sweden’s Triple Helix model [collaborations between industry, academia and government] is a praised approach to tackling large scale issues,” Westerberg continues.

Regaining international talents

Opening the US again to researchers from overseas also would help advance science initiatives, adds McCormack. Trump issued an executive order banning immigration from six predominately Muslim countries, which may have discouraged international talent from coming to the US.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, joined by the Presidential Cabinet members, pose for a Cabinet portrait Thursday, April 1, 2021, in the Grand Foyer of the White House. Photo: Adam Schultz

“Researchers who decided not to come to the US during the last administration may already have taken up positions at other universities, academic settings or with companies and may be reluctant to give those up,” McCormack says. “And of course, they may simply decide that a future administration might reimpose those travel restrictions and not want to take the chance. I hope they will come to the US because it would be a big loss to our research community if they didn’t.”

Critical investments

Funding for initiatives is obviously a key issues. Under the last administration, rules and regulations were adopted limiting the use of fetal tissue for research, to the point where it was almost impossible for researchers to use those materials if they wanted federal funding, according to McCormack.

“That led to programs being cancelled, including one looking to develop new treatments for HIV/AIDS,” he says. “Removing those restrictions would be terrific. And of course, increasing funding for the life sciences in general would be great.”

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro speaking at the Peoples Rally, Washington D.C. Photo: Lorie Shaull

Rosa DeLauro, who is chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Appropriations’ Committee, which is charged with appropriating money for most of the expenditures of the federal government, says she is thrilled Congress is finally out of sequestration, which set back the National Institute of Health (NIH) and other science agencies.

“With strong investments in CDC, NSF, and NIH, we will rebuild from the last four years and once again become a leading voice in the life sciences.”

”Since we do not have a budget deal just yet, I cannot say how much we will have to work with,” DeLauro continues. “But what I can say is that I firmly believe we need to make critical investments in these agencies that will help us to address the next pandemic, find lifesaving cures, the ongoing threat of climate change and more.”

“Congress has a critical role to play in supporting scientific research across all disciplines,” she adds. “With strong investments in CDC, NSF, and NIH, we will rebuild from the last four years and once again become a leading voice in the life sciences.”