Varda Space Aims to Revolutionize Drug Production with In-Orbit Manufacturing

Varda Space Industries is making pharmaceuticals in space. The company successfully returned ritonavir crystals from orbit earlier this year. This milestone marks a new era for specialized manufacturing.

According to CEO Will Bruey, this is just the beginning. He envisions a future with frequent, routine drug deliveries from space. The goal is to make space a reliable production environment for high-value medicines.

How Microgravity Enables Superior Drug Formulations

Manufacturing in space offers unique advantages. The absence of gravity eliminates sedimentation and convection. This allows for the creation of more uniform and pure drug crystals.

These space-made crystals can have better stability and longer shelf lives. Varda is not creating new drugs but improving existing ones. The process can lead to more effective pharmaceutical products for patients on Earth.

The Business Model That Could Slash Launch Costs

Varda’s approach creates a new economic model for space. Unlike satellite companies that launch once, Varda requires perpetual launches. Each successful drug formulation means more manufacturing runs and more frequent space missions.

This constant demand could fundamentally change launch economics. Bruey calls this the “seven domino theory.” Reusable rockets were domino one. Manufacturing and returning drugs is domino two. The third domino is getting a space-manufactured drug into clinical trials.

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What drugs is Varda Space manufacturing?

Varda has successfully produced ritonavir, an HIV medication. The company focuses on improving existing, approved drugs rather than discovering new molecules. Their process creates more pure and stable crystalline structures.

Why manufacture pharmaceuticals in space?

Microgravity allows for more precise control over crystal formation. Without gravity’s interference, drugs can form more uniform structures. This results in better stability, purity, and shelf life.

How does Varda return products to Earth?

The company uses small W-1 capsules that reenter Earth’s atmosphere. These capsules withstand temperatures of thousands of degrees during reentry. A parachute system ensures a soft landing at designated sites.

What was Varda’s biggest challenge?

Regulatory approval for reentry posed the greatest obstacle. Their first capsule remained stranded in orbit for six months awaiting clearance. The company now has streamlined licensing for future missions.

When will space-manufactured drugs reach pharmacies?

No timeline exists for commercial availability yet. Varda must first get a space-manufactured drug into clinical trials. The company is expanding its capabilities to tackle more complex molecules.