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

Aug. 27, 2026 Vukojevic, Salcedo, and Miller are executives at Optimapharm. Bipartisan legislation under review in Congress has the potential to significantly rejigger global drug development — and the biggest beneficiaries may not be American. The bill, titled the Biotech Investment National Security Act (BINSA), was introduced in June to significantly broaden federal oversight of everyday biotechnology activities, including pharmaceutical development, biologics manufacturing, and clinical R&D. The policy is an add-on to the restrictions of the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security (COINS) Act filed in December 2025. BINSA’s sponsors frame the additional policy as necessary to protect U.S. national security interests in medical research and innovation. The policy was announced following two multibillion-dollar R&D and licensing deals agreed by Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb with Chinese biopharma companies. In a press release about the bill, co-sponsor Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) called out the pharma companies for “making dangerous deals with Chinese biotech companies that threaten the future of American pharmaceutical production.” STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe