NSCEB and Senator Duckworth Visit Biomanufacturing and Innovation Hub in Central Illinois
Discovery and education are the driving forces behind Illinois’ role in harnessing biotechnology for national security and economic resilience
15, September 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois – Last week, NSCEB Commissioner Paul Arcangeli joined United States Senator Tammy Duckworth in her home state to explore Illinois’ role in strengthening national security and developing greater economic resilience through biotechnology innovation, entrepreneurship, and biomanufacturing.
On Friday, September 12th, Commissioner Arcangeli and Senator Duckworth heard from industry leaders, academic stakeholders, and local government officials at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign about the overall national impact of the regional biotech innovation hub and opportunities for growth, particularly in biomanufacturing, precision fermentation innovation, and agricultural technology.
“The intersection of emerging biotechnologies and American agriculture is a strategic opportunity to strengthen supply chains, drive innovation, and create jobs,” said NSCEB Commissioner Paul Arcangeli. “By advancing bio-based production, we not only ensure resilience against global disruptions but also unlock sustainable economic growth that protects national security and bolsters American competitiveness.”
“Illinois is already a hub for agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and technology, making our state ideally positioned to support growing biotech opportunities that will bolster our national security,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). “I was proud to welcome the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology to Illinois, and I’m thrilled that programs like iFAB are making it clear that we have a strong framework in place.”
Event Details
The event was hosted by the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB), a consortium of biotechnology partners focused on driving economic growth by connecting industry leaders with innovative start-ups and local resources and raw materials.
After engaging with industry leaders on the critical link between entrepreneurship and workforce development and experiencing the region’s biomanufacturing capacity firsthand with tours of the ADM Decatur plant and Primient, Commissioner Arcangeli joined Senator Duckworth for a roundtable discussion on how biotechnology enhances national security and economic resilience. They then toured the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab (IBRL) and Food and Nutrition Pilot Processing Plant facilities to see innovation at work in central Illinois.
“Today we were pleased to welcome the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology to our iFAB Tech Hub,” said Beth Conerty, iFAB Regional Innovation Officer. “The Commission’s report calls for bold federal investments and urgent action to secure U.S. leadership in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The report validates the very foundation of iFAB’s mission to advance domestic biomanufacturing capabilities, reduce reliance on foreign production, and strengthen U.S. economic and national security, which we were proud to showcase today. The demand for U.S.-based biomanufacturing capacity far exceeds current capabilities, but the iFAB Tech Hub stands out as a ready-built model for scaling biomanufacturing innovation and commercialization. Our consortium members have spent decades developing research, scaling technology from the lab to production line. With unmatched access to world-class research, agricultural feedstocks, and a growing pipeline of public and private investment, iFAB is uniquely positioned to lead the next era of U.S. biomanufacturing from the heart of Central Illinois.”
Event participants included:
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- ADM
- Biomass Innovation Hub
- Boston Bioprocess
- Cauldron
- Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
- Earnest Agriculture
- Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County
- Erg Bio
- Frakktal
- gener8tor
- Good Fibes Inc.
- Good Food Institute
- Hydrosome Labs
- iFAB Tech Hub
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
- Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab (IBRL)
- MicroMGx
- Midwest Bioprocessing Center
- Mondelēz International, Inc.
- Parkland College
- Primient
- Prism Immersive
- Richland Community College
- Sensient Technologies Corporation
- Serra Ventures
- Synonym
- Tandem Repeat Technologies
- University of Illinois Research Park (UIRP)
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Visolis
Biotech Across America Roadshow
The Commission is hitting the road to highlight biotechnology across America, including the companies, academic institutions, workforce development programs, and policy initiatives that are driving the future for this rapidly growing industry. Commissioners will continue learning about the work being done across this vibrant ecosystem while engaging on the key findings and recommendations from the Commission’s recent report to Congress.
About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit: biotech.senate.gov.
Contacts:
NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov
