Biosecurity for
America's Bioeconomy

Bio for National Security is a future-facing ecosystem initiative — exploring how Indiana's biomanufacturing base can strengthen domestic production of critical medicines and countermeasures and support national biosecurity. It is an ecosystem initiative, not one of the four core EDA-funded Heartland BioWorks projects (BioTrain, BioLaunch, BioCAN, and the planned HQ).

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Overview

Biotechnology as a Strategic National Asset

The National Biodefense Strategy identifies domestic biomanufacturing as critical to national security. Bio for National Security positions Indiana as the nucleus of America's biodefense industrial base — connecting federal agencies to the manufacturing capacity and technical capabilities needed to respond to biological threats.

From medical countermeasure manufacturing to biosurveillance networks, Bio for National Security bridges Indiana's life sciences ecosystem with the nation's defense and security missions.

  • BARDA and DoD manufacturing partnerships
  • Supply chain resilience and domestic sourcing programs
  • Medical countermeasure development and scale-up
  • Dual-use technology commercialization
  • Biosurveillance and detection system support
Technician in full protective gear working inside a controlled cleanroom
Strategic Pillars

The Bio for National Security Framework

Three interconnected areas of focus that form Indiana's biodefense strategy.

Supply Chain Resilience

Reducing dependence on foreign sources for critical biologics, APIs, and biomanufacturing inputs through domestic production expansion and strategic stockpiling programs.

Medical Countermeasures

Supporting rapid development and scalable domestic manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics against CBRN threats and emerging pathogens.

Dual-Use Technology

Accelerating biotechnologies that serve both commercial and national security applications, from biosensors to synthetic biology platforms for defense missions.

Why It Matters

Why Indiana for Biosecurity

#1
Pharmaceutical Exports
Indiana leads the nation — a foundation for domestic medicine production
All 3
COVID-19 Vaccines
The only state that manufactures all three COVID-19 vaccines
Top 3
Life Sciences Exports
Among the top three U.S. states for life sciences exports
Federal Partners

Agency Partnerships

Bio for National Security maintains active relationships with the federal agencies driving America's biodefense strategy.

BARDA

Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority — medical countermeasure development and manufacturing

DARPA

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency — biotechnology for national defense applications

USSOCOM

Special Operations Command — advanced biomedical capabilities for special operations forces

DHS S&T

Department of Homeland Security — biosurveillance, detection, and consequence management

DoD JPEO CBRND

Joint Program Executive Office — chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense programs

NIH/NIAID

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — infectious disease and emerging pathogen programs

FAQs

Common Questions

Bio for National Security works with biomanufacturers, biotech companies with dual-use technologies, defense contractors with biomedical programs, and research institutions developing relevant capabilities. Companies do not need to be exclusively defense-focused — commercial companies with relevant manufacturing capacity are often valuable partners.
Most Bio for National Security programs do not require security clearances. Some advanced programs with classified requirements will specify clearance needs. We can help companies understand the clearance process if a specific opportunity requires it.
The National Biodefense Strategy calls for strengthening domestic biomanufacturing and reducing supply chain vulnerabilities. Heartland BioWorks' Bio for National Security program directly implements those priorities at the state and regional level by building Indiana's capacity to produce critical biodefense materials domestically.

Explore Bio for National Security Initiatives

Connect with the Bio for National Security team to discuss partnerships, manufacturing capabilities, or federal program opportunities in Indiana's biodefense ecosystem.

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