Battelle Hosts National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology to Highlight Ohio’s Growing Biotechnology Capabilities
Battelle recently welcomed members of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) to its Columbus, Ohio, headquarters as part of the Commission’s national District Spotlight roadshow. The visit provided Commission members, congressional staff, government representatives, academic researchers, biotechnology leaders, and industry stakeholders with an opportunity to examine the growing role of biotechnology in strengthening U.S. national security, improving supply chain resilience, supporting domestic manufacturing, and maintaining global competitiveness.
The visit highlighted Ohio’s expanding biotechnology ecosystem and the partnerships connecting research institutions, government agencies, private companies, and workforce development organizations. Discussions focused on how scientific discoveries can be translated into practical technologies and scalable capabilities that support the nation’s preparedness and economic strength.
The NSCEB is conducting its District Spotlight series to visit biotechnology hubs throughout the United States and hear directly from regional leaders about the strengths, opportunities, challenges, and investments needed to advance the nation’s biotechnology capabilities. The Commission is also developing recommendations for Congress related to biotechnology, supply chains, national security, and America’s long-term competitiveness.
Exploring Ohio’s Biotechnology Ecosystem
The Battelle visit brought together representatives from across Ohio’s biotechnology and life sciences community. Participants examined how the state’s research institutions, businesses, government organizations, and workforce initiatives are contributing to the development and commercialization of emerging biotechnology.
The day began at Battelle with a panel discussion examining Ohio’s rapidly developing biotechnology ecosystem. The conversation addressed the partnerships supporting scientific innovation, commercialization, workforce development, and national security applications.
The panel was moderated by Eddie Pauline, president and CEO of Ohio Life Sciences, and featured several leaders representing different parts of Ohio’s biotechnology infrastructure.
Panelists included Tyler Allchin, managing director of healthcare and life sciences at JobsOhio; Dennis Durbin, president of the Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital; Nancy Kelley-Loughnane, biotechnology lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory; and Wendy Goodson, leader of Battelle’s Operational Biotechnologies Division.
The diversity of perspectives demonstrated how biotechnology development increasingly depends on collaboration across sectors. Academic research can generate foundational discoveries, while companies can help commercialize technologies and government organizations can support national security applications and strategic investments.
Workforce development also plays a critical role because advanced biotechnology requires scientists, engineers, laboratory specialists, manufacturing professionals, and other highly trained workers.
Battelle Biotechnology Research Showcase
Following the panel discussion, NSCEB commissioners and guests participated in a biotechnology research showcase at Battelle.
The program included technical discussions and laboratory tours covering a broad range of research areas connected to biotechnology, national security, and emerging biological threats.
Among the topics examined were biosecurity and emerging biological threats, retro biosynthesis, advanced energetics, supply chain vulnerabilities, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), and the role of national laboratories and biotechnology research centers.
The demonstrations were designed to provide visitors with a closer understanding of how biotechnology research can progress from early scientific discovery to practical deployment.
Battelle experts discussed technologies and research approaches that can contribute to national preparedness while also supporting manufacturing resilience and growth of the broader bioeconomy.
The showcase illustrated the increasingly interconnected nature of biotechnology and national security. Advances in biological research can influence areas ranging from healthcare and pharmaceutical development to manufacturing, supply chains, defense, environmental applications, and emergency preparedness.
Strengthening Biosecurity Capabilities
Biosecurity was a central theme throughout the visit.
As biotechnology continues to advance, the United States faces both opportunities and challenges associated with increasingly sophisticated biological capabilities. Research into biological threats, detection technologies, mitigation strategies, and preparedness can play an important role in strengthening national resilience.
Battelle’s work in biosecurity is part of its broader efforts to develop technologies and capabilities addressing chemical and biological threats.
During the research showcase, experts demonstrated approaches designed to help identify emerging biological risks and support preparedness efforts. These capabilities can help government agencies and other stakeholders better understand potential threats and develop appropriate responses.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining domestic research capabilities. Having strong biotechnology infrastructure within the United States can help ensure that critical scientific knowledge, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities remain available when they are needed.
Addressing Supply Chain Resilience
Another major topic discussed during the NSCEB visit was supply chain resilience.
Modern biotechnology relies on complex networks involving raw materials, specialized equipment, manufacturing facilities, skilled workers, research infrastructure, and distribution systems. Disruptions affecting any part of these networks can have consequences for healthcare, national security, and the broader economy.
Participants explored vulnerabilities within biotechnology-related supply chains and discussed the importance of developing resilient domestic capabilities.
Strengthening U.S. manufacturing capacity can reduce dependence on vulnerable external supply chains while helping ensure that essential technologies and materials remain accessible.
Battelle experts highlighted how biotechnology research and manufacturing initiatives can contribute to this broader objective.
The conversations also emphasized the importance of collaboration between government and industry. Public-private partnerships can help identify vulnerabilities, develop solutions, and accelerate the transition of promising technologies from research laboratories into operational environments.
New Approach Methodologies and Emerging Research
The Battelle showcase also featured discussions surrounding New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
NAMs represent emerging approaches that can provide new ways to conduct scientific research, evaluate biological responses, and support product development. Such technologies can complement or potentially replace certain traditional research approaches while providing additional tools for scientists and developers.
The inclusion of NAMs in the NSCEB visit reflected the broader importance of scientific innovation in maintaining U.S. competitiveness.
As biotechnology develops rapidly, research organizations must continue evaluating new methods that can improve efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and the speed at which discoveries can be translated into practical applications.
Role of National Laboratories
The visit also highlighted the importance of national laboratories and specialized biotechnology research centers in strengthening the country’s scientific infrastructure.
National laboratories can provide capabilities that extend beyond the resources typically available to individual organizations. They can support large-scale research, advanced technologies, national security programs, and collaborations involving government, academia, and private industry.
Battelle’s extensive involvement in managing and supporting national laboratory capabilities provides it with experience in connecting scientific research with national priorities.
During the visit, experts discussed how these institutions can help bridge the gap between fundamental research and real-world deployment.
The ability to move technologies efficiently from discovery to practical use is becoming increasingly important as biotechnology evolves rapidly and competition between nations intensifies.
Public-Private Collaboration
Alina Meltaus, Chief of Staff of the NSCEB, emphasized the importance of collaboration among industry, government, academia, and research organizations.
According to Meltaus, biotechnology innovation is occurring across the country, but strengthening domestic capabilities, developing skilled talent, and accelerating the movement of scientific breakthroughs into practical applications will be essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness.
Ohio provides an example of this collaborative model. The state has developed connections between research institutions, biotechnology companies, government organizations, economic development groups, and workforce training programs.
These relationships can help create a more integrated biotechnology ecosystem capable of supporting innovation from early research through commercialization and manufacturing.
Battelle’s Perspective on Biotechnology Leadership
Greg Kimmel, vice president and general manager of Battelle’s Health business, said the organization was pleased to host the NSCEB and showcase the work being conducted in Ohio.
He emphasized that the future of biotechnology will depend on organizations and partnerships capable of translating laboratory discoveries into real-world applications.
Battelle’s activities span research, health, national security, biotechnology, and technology development. The organization sees collaboration as an important mechanism for advancing scientific capabilities while addressing national challenges.
The company also views workforce development as a critical component of maintaining U.S. biotechnology leadership.
Continuing the Ohio Biotechnology Tour
The NSCEB’s activities in Ohio continued beyond Battelle.
Following the Battelle session, Commission members and guests visited Andelyn Biosciences and the Ohio Life Science Training Center.
These visits provided additional perspectives on Ohio’s capabilities in biomanufacturing and workforce development.
Andelyn Biosciences represents the region’s growing biomanufacturing infrastructure, while the Ohio Life Science Training Center demonstrates the importance of developing a workforce capable of supporting the rapidly expanding life sciences industry.
Together, the organizations provided the Commission with a broader picture of how Ohio is building the infrastructure, expertise, and talent needed to compete in biotechnology.
Building America’s Biotechnology Future
The NSCEB’s visit to Battelle underscored the increasingly important relationship between biotechnology, national security, economic competitiveness, and supply chain resilience.
The discussions demonstrated that maintaining leadership in biotechnology requires more than scientific discoveries alone. It also requires investment in manufacturing, workforce development, research infrastructure, biosecurity, supply chains, commercialization, and partnerships across sectors.
Ohio’s biotechnology ecosystem provides an example of how these components can work together.
For Battelle, the visit offered an opportunity to demonstrate how research and technology development can support national priorities while contributing to the growth of the U.S. bioeconomy.
For the NSCEB, the District Spotlight provided direct access to regional experts and organizations working across the biotechnology landscape.
As the Commission continues its national roadshow and develops recommendations for Congress, insights from biotechnology hubs such as Ohio could help inform policies designed to strengthen U.S. capabilities.
The visit ultimately highlighted a shared objective: ensuring that the United States has the scientific expertise, infrastructure, manufacturing capacity, skilled workforce, and collaborative partnerships necessary to remain a global biotechnology leader while protecting national security and building resilience for the future.
About the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology
The NSCEB is a federal commission examining how emerging biotechnology intersects with national security, supply chains and U.S. competitiveness. Its “Biotech Across America” District Spotlight series brings commissioners and staff to biotechnology hubs nationwide to hear directly from regional stakeholders and inform the Commission’s ongoing recommendations to Congress.
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries.