The U.S. House of Representatives passed the INVEST Act, a bipartisan package aimed at expanding access to capital for small and emerging biotechnology firms by loosening certain regulatory barriers for investors and encouraging early‑stage funding. BIO and industry advocates praised the legislation as a tool to bridge the funding gap that often stalls translational programs. BIO Senior Vice President Bradford Zakes said the bill will help move promising science toward patients by improving seed and venture markets. Supporters argued the measure will spur innovation, but implementation details and potential market distortions remain to be hashed out in the Senate and in subsequent rulemaking if it becomes law.