Plants & The Future of U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing
A recent White House report (March 2023), "Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing: Harnessing Research and Development to Further Societal Goals," paints an ambitious vision for the future of the biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors in the United States. While Plant Molecular Farming (PMF) is just one potential pathway for critical infrastructure and innovation, it is a powerful platform for molecular production. PMF is actively engaging and transforming with the biomanufacturing landscape and is capable of providing a pivotal role in achieving the overarching goals outlined in the report.
Unleashing the Biomanufacturing Potential of Plants
The report underscores the importance of enhancing biomanufacturing capabilities to maintain America's competitive edge in this field. PMF can be a game-changer in this regard, as it harnesses the power of plants as living factories to produce pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and industrial biomolecules efficiently and sustainably. This approach resonates with the report's call for strategic investments in cutting-edge biomanufacturing platforms and technologies to secure global competitiveness.
A Green Path to Advanced Therapeutics
One of the major goals of the report is to develop next-generation therapies and diagnostics to address pressing public health challenges. PMF can be a driving force in this area by facilitating the production of novel proteins and biomolecules with potential therapeutic applications. This paves the way for new and innovative treatments for various diseases and conditions, aligning with the report's emphasis on investing in research and development of novel manufacturing technologies and platforms.
A Sustainable Bioeconomy
The White House report spotlights the need for environmental sustainability, recognizing that a strong and sustainable bioeconomy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste. PMF offers an eco-friendly solution, as it leverages natural plant-based systems for food, medicines, and fuel production, which often require far less energy and resources than traditional fermentation-based methods. Furthermore, PMF can spur the development of biodegradable products, echoing the report's call for promoting the development and use of sustainable bioproducts.
Investing in Plant Science for a Brighter Future
To stay ahead in the global biotechnology race, the report stresses the need for increased investments in research and development. PMF research can rise to the challenge by providing invaluable insights into plant-based expression systems, genetic engineering, and protein production. Investing in PMF-related research can help translate scientific discoveries into practical applications more rapidly through four-week plant cultivation cycles, rather than expensive bioreactor scaling — aligning with the report's goal of ensuring that the fruits of scientific discovery and innovation can be transformed into products and services.
Cultivating Public-Private Partnerships
The White House report emphasizes the vital role of public-private partnerships in advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The development and commercialization of PMF-derived products can greatly benefit from such partnerships, as they can help drive innovation and economic growth in the sector. These partnerships, many currently existing, align with the report's call to forge new partnerships between the Federal Government, industry, academia, and other stakeholders to drive biotechnology innovation.
Streamlining Regulations for Plant-Based Innovations
Another crucial aspect of the report is addressing regulatory barriers to facilitate the commercialization of innovative biotechnology products. Streamlining regulatory processes and establishing clear guidelines for PMF-derived products can support the commercialization of plant-based therapeutics and other biomolecules, making them more accessible to the public. Given the wide variety of products plants can produce, this further align with the report's call to reduce regulatory barriers to the development and deployment of biotechnology products, a vital step for integrating PMF into the U.S. biomanufacturing sector.
Training the Biomanufacturing Workforce of Tomorrow
Lastly, the report underscores the need for workforce development to ensure that skilled professionals are available to drive innovation in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors. Training and education programs focused on PMF and related fields can help build a skilled workforce capable of pushing the boundaries of biomanufacturing and contributing to the overall growth and competitiveness of the U.S. biotechnology industry – as well as controlled agriculture, further engaging agriculture for collaboration and innovation. This goal is reflected in the report's statement that "a skilled workforce is critical to the growth and competitiveness of the U.S. biotechnology industry" (p. 3), which will require more multi-disciplinary skills than ever before.
Bold Goals For An Audacious Future.
While plant molecular farming is not explicitly mentioned in the White House report, its potential contributions as a biomanufacturing platform to the goals outlined in the document are an undeniable piece of the equation. From enhancing biomanufacturing capabilities and promoting the development of advanced therapeutics to fostering environmental sustainability and addressing regulatory barriers, PMF has the potential to be a game-changer for U.S. biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Utilizing the opportunities presented by plant molecular farming, the United States can maintain its competitive edge in the global biotechnology landscape and continue to drive innovation, economic growth, and improved public health outcomes. Moreover, by harnessing the power of plants as living bioreactors, the U.S. can lead the way toward a more sustainable, innovative, and prosperous future in biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
