Washington intelligence sources have accused Chinese pharmaceutical company WuXi AppTec of transferring sensitive data from American customers to the Beijing regime, posing a risk to national security. The White House is particularly concerned about certain Chinese companies developing biotechnology that could be exploited by the military. This information was relayed to the Senate as lawmakers work on a biotech security bill targeting WuXi AppTec and other Beijing-based companies.
In response to the allegations, WuXi AppTec stated that they comply with U.S. federal and state requirements and are not aware of any unauthorized transfers of customer data to China. They emphasized the importance of protecting their customers’ information and storing it according to their instructions. WuXi AppTec relies heavily on the U.S. as its main revenue source, with over two thirds of its revenue coming from the country last year.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence alerted the White House about Beijing’s scientific and technological advancements through intellectual property theft in order to gain economic and military advantages. This raises concerns about potential risks associated with data transfers and intellectual property theft in sensitive sectors like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
China’s embassy in Washington rebuked Congress for claiming that WuXi AppTec posed a threat to national security without providing convincing evidence to support their allegations. The debate around these issues highlights ongoing concerns about the relationship between Chinese companies and the U.S., particularly in sensitive sectors where intellectual property is at stake.