Opinion: STAT+: A bill is supposed to protect U.S. biotech from Chinese competition. But there’s a loophole

A piece of bipartisan legislation, named the Biotech Investment National Security Act (BINSA), is currently under review by Congress. This bill has the potential to significantly alter the landscape of global drug development, with the largest beneficiaries possibly not being American. The legislation was introduced in June and aims to expand federal oversight of routine biotechnology activities, encompassing pharmaceutical development, biologics manufacturing, and clinical research and development.

This policy is an addition to the restrictions imposed by the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security (COINS) Act, which was filed in December 2025.

The sponsors of BINSA argue that the additional policy is necessary to safeguard U.S. national security interests in medical research and innovation. The bill was unveiled in response to two multibillion-dollar research and licensing agreements signed by Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb with Chinese biopharmaceutical companies. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), co-sponsor of the bill, expressed concern in a press release, accusing the pharmaceutical companies of "making dangerous deals with Chinese biotech companies that threaten the future of American pharmaceutical production." Stay tuned to STAT+ for a comprehensive report on this matter.