DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025 (HR3491) was introduced in the House on May 19, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. This bill authorizes the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a program for Down syndrome research, training, and investigation, known as the 'INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE Project' or the 'INCLUDE Project.' The bill specifically outlines program elements such as high-risk, high-reward research on trisomy 21, promoting research across the lifespan, expanding clinical trials for pharmacological interventions, and supporting research to improve diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring conditions, including biomarker identification. It is crucial to note that HR3491 is an authorization bill, meaning it sets policy and spending ceilings but does not appropriate funds. Actual funding for this program would depend on subsequent appropriations bills. Therefore, while the bill creates a framework for increased research, the money trail is not yet established. The bill's introduction by Rep. DeGette (D-CO) with 18 cosponsors suggests some bipartisan support, but its early stage (referred to committee) means a long legislative path remains. Companies involved in genetic sequencing, laboratory equipment, diagnostic services, and pharmaceutical R&D are positioned to benefit if this bill eventually leads to appropriated funding. Illumina ($ILMN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific ($TMO) are direct beneficiaries due to their roles in providing genetic sequencing technology, laboratory instruments, and reagents essential for biomedical research. Quest Diagnostics ($DGX) could see increased demand for specialized diagnostic testing. Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly ($LLY), Biogen ($BIIB), Pfizer ($PFE), and Merck ($MRK) could benefit from expanded clinical trials and research into pharmacological interventions for Down syndrome and its co-occurring conditions, particularly those with existing neurological or Alzheimer's disease research programs. The recent presidential memoranda on the Defense Production Act are unrelated to this healthcare bill. Market data for relevant tickers shows mixed performance over the last 7 and 30 days. Illumina ($ILMN) is down 2.99% in the last 7 days but up 7.59% over 30 days, currently trading at $126.6. Thermo Fisher Scientific ($TMO) is down 8.42% in 7 days and 0.56% in 30 days, at $470.7. Quest Diagnostics ($DGX) is down 4.25% in 7 days and 0.09% in 30 days, at $195.33. Pfizer ($PFE) is down 1.57% in 7 days and 2.44% in 30 days, at $26.38. Eli Lilly ($LLY) is down 5.7% in 7 days and 1.06% in 30 days, at $868.95. Biogen ($BIIB) is down 4.18% in 7 days and 0.94% in 30 days, at $182.12. Merck ($MRK) is down 2.49% in 7 days and 7.98% in 30 days, at $110.08. These recent movements are not directly attributable to HR3491 given its early stage and lack of appropriated funding. The next legislative steps involve committee consideration, potential markups, and a vote in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. If it passes committee, it would then proceed to a full House vote. A companion bill in the Senate (S891) exists, which could accelerate the legislative process if both chambers advance their respective versions.