Rapid advances in bioscience and biotechnology are essential for fighting disease, protecting the environment, and promoting economic development, but they also increase the risk of accidental or deliberate misuse, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Governments play a key role in safeguarding the life sciences, but they have struggled to keep pace, especially as enabling technologies and tools to engineer potentially dangerous pathogens become more widely available.

No existing international entity has dedicated its primary mission to strengthening biosecurity and bioscience governance to reduce emerging biological risks.

As a small, agile organization with global partners across the bioscience and biotechnology landscape, IBBIS is well-positioned to convene experts to develop innovative, practical solutions to safeguard the bioeconomy and bolster biosecurity.

IBBIS will collaborate with a diverse array of global stakeholders—from industry and governments to academia and philanthropy—to develop practical solutions for reducing risks at key points throughout the bioscience and biotechnology research and development lifecycle.

Initially, IBBIS will focus on developing biosecurity tools and best practices for DNA synthesis providers around the world, so they do not inadvertently sell the building blocks of dangerous pathogens to malicious actors. IBBIS will provide cutting-edge software, known as the international “Common Mechanism” for DNA synthesis screening. Developed by an international consortium of technical experts, the new software will help companies vet DNA synthesis orders and customers.

IBBIS’ scope of activities will expand over time in pursuit of its broader mission. Future activities may include: development of a biosecurity funders’ compact to make grant funds and investments conditional on robust biosecurity practices; work with publishers to strengthen biosecurity review of manuscripts in order to prevent sharing of information that could make it easier for malicious actors to engineer dangerous pathogens; and advising governments on guidelines, regulations, and incentives to strengthen biosecurity within their borders.

IBBIS’ activities will complement the important work of the World Health Organization, the Biological Weapons Convention, and other regional and international organizations.

The idea for a new international organization was conceived by experts engaged in NTI’s Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative.  

IBBIS’ founding Executive Director is Dr. Piers Millett, a global biosecurity expert with 25-years of experience working across the science-policy interface.

IBBIS’ mission and vision are widely supported by governments, industry leaders, and key voices in research and academia:

• “IBBIS is in a unique position to serve as a convener of scientific expertise, and be able to translate that expertise into policy, together with government.” – Wilmot James, Columbia University

• “IBBIS plans to address significant shortcomings, helping to serve as a focal point for conversations between industry and government.” – James Diggans, Twist Bioscience

• “IBBIS is a necessary institution and fills a critical gap in the global architecture for responsible stewardship of science.” – Peggy Hamburg, former U.S. Food & Drug Administration Commissioner

• “The World Economic Forum’s ability to provide a neutral platform where public and private sector entities can come together to address the most pressing issues facing humanity makes IBBIS a natural partner for us.” – Shyam Bishen, World Economic Forum

IBBIS is guided by an international steering group of experts in biosecurity and bioscience and is generously supported by Effective Giving and Open Philanthropy.