ROCHESTER — The BioSecure Act proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives names a China-based biotech company with close ties to the United States. mayo clinic Proposes restrictions on working in the U.S. as a risk to national security
The House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Communist Party of China has drafted a bill that would prohibit the use of federal funds, such as Medicare, to pay for services to “hostile foreign biotechnology companies.” The bill would also limit genetic research and the use of equipment manufactured by designated companies in U.S. research.
The bipartisan bill names Shanghai-based Wuxi Apptec.
BGI Group, MGI, complete genomics Other subsidiaries as companies that should be restricted as potential threats to the United States
Mayo Clinic uses gene sequencing equipment manufactured by MGI. The company has also worked with Complete Genomics, a California company until it was acquired by BGI, to sequence the entire human genome. However, Mayo Clinic has the most extensive relationship with his WuXi Apptec.
In 2018, Mayo Clinic partnered with WuXi AppTec to form a joint venture.
wuxi diagnosis
“We will focus on the development of advanced diagnostic technology, build a world-leading clinical special diagnostic platform and integrated research and development of clinical diagnostic reagents and product platforms, establish a comprehensive large-scale clinical testing data center, and develop China's medical Empower institutions.” ”
WuXi Diagnostics opened a 3,008-square-foot “research and diagnostic test development facility” on the third floor of the One Discovery Square complex in downtown Rochester in 2019.mayo clinic and Destination Medical Center Officials described the lab as WuXi Diagnostics' first U.S.-based research and diagnostic test development facility.
The WuXi Diagnostics lab appears to be no longer in operation. Mayo Clinic did not respond to questions about whether WuXi Diagnostics has other locations in Rochester or whether it is concerned about the allegations made in the BioSecure bill.
However, when asked about the status of Mayo Clinic's relationship with WuXi Diagnostics, he replied: Suzanne Ferguson Mayo Clinic doctors issued a short statement.
“As you know, Mayo Clinic Laboratories and WuXi AppTec Group formed a joint venture called WuXi Diagnostics in 2018 to accelerate the development of esoteric tests aimed at benefiting patients in China. That joint venture still exists,” she wrote.
The BioSecure Bill identifies Wuxi AppTec Group as a “national security threat to the United States” due to its CEO’s statements. Chen ZishengThere are reports of ties to the People's Republic of China military.
Wuxi AppTec responded by issuing a statement saying that the bill's description of Chen's alleged ties to the military was incorrect.
“He has never worked for the Military Medical Academy or any military-related institution, nor has he received compensation from any military-related institution,” Wuxi Biologicals said in a statement.
It is unclear what the biosecure bill, if passed, would mean for Mayo Clinic and its business and research relationships with the three Chinese companies.
