Salt Lake City Biotech Ecosystem Driving Industry Advancement

Leaders in innovation, research, and workforce development are bolstering technological advancement for U.S. national security and economic resilience

17, November 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Salt Lake City, Utah – Last week, NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo joined policymakers and local industry leaders to experience Utah’s growing biotechnology ecosystem. With a rapidly growing industry, Utah’s biotech sector makes major contributions to U.S. national security, economic resilience, health, and global technology leadership.

“If the United States wants to secure the future of its biotechnology leadership, we have time to act, but no time to wait,” said NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo. “Salt Lake City’s biotech ecosystem is growing rapidly, driven by both breakthrough technologies and the people behind it – a mix of grit, collaboration, and true Beehive State spirit. I urge policymakers to take concrete actions that enable innovators like those we met in Utah to unleash biotech innovation, create more high-tech jobs, and ensure that all of us benefit from this technology.”

“According to a recent report, Utah has been the third fastest growing life sciences community in the country over the last decade,” said Kelvyn Cullimore, President and CEO of BioUtah. “Only two states have a higher percentage of their work force employed in the life sciences. With over 50,000 direct life sciences employees, Utah produces innovative products that serve patients worldwide.”

“BioHive was honored to host the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology here in Utah, where we have one of the fastest-growing life science and biotech sectors in the nation,” said Andy Robertson, Interim Executive Director of BioHive. “The Commission’s vision to build a national network of biomanufacturing hubs aligns perfectly with Utah’s strengths, making our state a top choice to help advance America’s next generation of biomanufacturing innovation. Thank you to the NSCEB for helping us in our mission to build, brand, and bring together the life science ecosystem in Utah.”

“Recursion was pleased to host the NSCEB in Salt Lake City and offer an in depth look at how AI is decoding biology to radically improve lives,” said Ryan Kelly, Chief Communications Officer of Recursion. “The Commission’s work underscores how innovation in technology is shaping not only the future of medicine but our nation’s competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”

“We are honored to host the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology and other distinguished policymakers and industry leaders here in Salt Lake City. Their visit underscores the critical role biotechnology will play in strengthening both our nation’s energy resilience and its innovation economy,” said Mukund Karanjikar, CEO and Founder of CleanJoule. “The growing biotech ecosystem in this region—anchored by research institutions, startups, and forward-thinking investors—is creating the foundation for technologies that will shape the future of our nation and world. At CleanJoule, we’re proud to be part of this momentum and to demonstrate how biotech innovation can advance both national security and decarbonization goals through advanced fuels and materials that are revolutionizing current and future aerospace and defense applications.”

Event details:

The NSCEB began its visit with a reception, hosted by BioHive, with leaders from industry, academia, and the nonprofit sector on Tuesday, November 11. More than 20 organizations came together to share how biotech is contributing to U.S. national security and economic resilience and to discuss how the NSCEB’s recommendations would positively impact their work.

On Wednesday, November 12th, Vice Chair Rozo discussed the Commission’s work and federal policy priorities at the Utah Life Sciences Summit. The NSCEB also visited Blackrock Neurotech, a company that is revolutionizing brain-computer interface technology, and Recursion, a pioneering AI drug discovery company. Both companies demonstrate the cutting-edge innovation, commercialization, and workforce development that the NSCEB found to be critical to national security.

On Thursday, November 13th, Vice Chair Rozo visited CleanJoule to learn more about their biomanufactured high performance aviation fuel. CleanJoule is already working with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies on technological advancements with significant national security impact.

Event participants included:

3HELIX
Altitude Lab
BioFire Defense
BioHive
BioHive Brigham Young University Student Chapter
BioHive Business Chapter
BioHive Student Business Chapter
BioHive Utah Valley University
BioUtah
Blackrock Neurotech
BreakLine
Brigham Young University
CleanJoule
Danaher
Denali
Elnora AI
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Imessa Research, Inc.
InherentBio
Leash Biosciences
Myriad
Nelson Laboratories
Nusano
Path Fertility
Pressure Medical
Prism AI Therapeutics, Inc.
Rebel Medicine, Inc.
Recursion
Salt Lake City Corporation
Salt Lake City Economic Development
Office of Rep. Blake Moore
Office of Rep. Burgess Owens
Office of Rep. Mike Kennedy
Office of U.S. Senator Mike Lee
University of Utah
Utah Valley University
Wilson Sonsini

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