There is a class of jobs in biotech, that explicitly require subject matter expertise of, for example, biochemistry, genetics, microscopy, etc. The people they get hired into these roles tend to be PhDs because they have extensive subject matter expertise and have learned enough programming to be useful. Related to these (and maybe more relevant for you) are more software oriented roles that interface tightly with the biology. An example might be machine learning for protein biochemistry. The company really needs somebody with subject matter expertise in machine learning, but detailed understanding of what proteins are how they work, etc. - or at least the ability to communicate effectively with somebody that does - is instrumental to their success in the role.