Today, Cristina Killingsworth, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, visited the Birmingham Biotechnology Hub in Alabama, announced by the Biden-Harris Administration. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) recognized the hub, a coalition led by the Southern Research Institute, as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub) in October 2023.
The Birmingham Biotechnology Hub emphasizes the region’s role as an emerging global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven biotechnology. Tech Hubs program leadership will collaborate with the hub to enhance their strategy to become a global hub for drug, vaccine, and diagnostics development. The hub intends to apply AI-driven biotechnology to boost diverse representation in clinical genomic data and clinical trials.
The Tech Hubs Program is a leading initiative aimed at promoting U.S. leadership in technologies and industries crucial to national security. The designation of the Birmingham Biotechnology Hub signifies endorsement of the region’s plan to supercharge its critical technology ecosystem and emerge as a global leader in biotechnology over the next decade, thereby enhancing U.S. national security and global competitiveness.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated, “The Birmingham Biotechnology Hub embodies the spirit and potential of the Tech Hubs program to transform centers of excellence into world-class tech ecosystems through targeted investments.” She further emphasized the importance of the Tech Hubs Program in ensuring tech industries vital to U.S. economic and national security start, stay, and grow in the U.S. She expressed commitment to future funding rounds and working with lawmakers to support additional federal resources for all designees.
The Tech Hubs Program authorized for $10 billion in the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, aims to increase the capacity and pace of American innovation, leading to the creation of new companies and jobs. More information about the program can be found at TechHubs.gov.
