NATIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION ON EMERGING BIOTECHNOLOGY, REP. HOULAHAN EXPLORE GROWING PENNSYLVANIA BIOTECH INDUSTRY
Pennsylvania is the second stop on the NSCEB’s Biotech Across America tour
24 June 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Malvern, Pennsylvania – Today, NSCEB Commissioners joined U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) to showcase the state’s fast-growing biotechnology economy and engage with industry and community leaders. The trip to Pennsylvania marks the second stop on the NSCEB’s Biotech Across America tour.
NSCEB Commissioners Paul Arcangeli and Dr. Angela Belcher joined Representative Houlahan at Technical College High School, Pickering Campus, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. There, they held a robust discussion with local industry and academic leaders on current issues impacting biotechnology, including the future of biomanufacturing, workforce development, and ongoing global economic competition.
The group then toured Ocugen, a Malvern-based biotech company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene therapies to address major blindness diseases.
“Pennsylvania can serve as a blueprint for developing a strong biomanufacturing base, and the opportunities for continued growth are significant,” said Paul Arcangeli, NSCEB Commissioner. “This community is poised to capitalize on the NSCEB’s recommendations, especially around educating the future bio-workforce and expanding workforce training opportunities.”
“The future of our biotech workforce depends on developing a solid foundation for educational programs to thrive at all levels,” said Dr. Angela Belcher, NSCEB Commissioner. “The innovative work being done here in Pennsylvania is a great example of how a well-supported ecosystem can strengthen the future for an entire industry.”
“The community I represent is a biotechnology powerhouse, and I am pleased to welcome the Commission here to understand our unique potential and contribution,” said Representative Chrissy Houlahan. “Breakthroughs in biotechnology are happening every day here and across the nation, and with the combined work of the Commission and my colleagues in Congress, we have an opportunity right now both to stay ahead of the global competition and improve everything from medicines and manufacturing to materials and sustainability. It’s urgent that we all work together to do so. Our success and security as a nation depend on it.”
This summer, 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.
Other participating stakeholders included:
ALS United MidAtlantic
Alzheimer’s Association
Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry
Chester County Economic Development Council
Delaware County Community College
diaago LLC
Greater Reading Chamber Alliance
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
LCH Health and Community Services
Life Sciences Pennsylvania
Ocugen
Pennsylvania State Representative Paul Friel
Office of Pennsylvania State Senator Carolyn Comitta
Pennsylvania State University, Berks
Progenra, Inc.
PROPEL Tech Hub
Raptor Analytics Inc.
Reading Area Community College
Ridge Policy Group
Technical College High School – Pickering Campus
The Center for Professional Innovation & Education
Total Experience Learning at Alvernia University
VenatoRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce
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
