BioOrbit, a London-based startup, has successfully secured $13.2 million in seed funding to propel its innovative space-based drug manufacturing platform. This funding round was co-led by LocalGlobe and Breega, alongside contributions from Seedcamp, Type One, and others.
The capital will primarily facilitate BioOrbit's transition from research to industrial application, with a focus on securing partnerships for pharmaceutical programs. The company’s unique platform utilizes microgravity crystallization in low-Earth orbit, employing a proprietary device called BOX, which operates autonomously in space. This technology aims to transform protein-based drugs into well-ordered crystalline forms, potentially allowing for more convenient self-injection methods.
Such advancements could revolutionize treatment delivery methods, particularly in oncology, by enabling therapies to be administered outside traditional hospital settings. The implications extend to the development of new drug formulations and the enhancement of existing therapies, as microgravity conditions allow for manufacturing processes that are not possible on Earth.
The growing interest in microgravity pharmaceutical research is underscored by past collaborations, such as those between NASA and Merck, which have highlighted the benefits of microgravity on protein crystal growth. As Liz Lloyd noted, BioOrbit exemplifies UK innovation by leveraging space to produce pharmaceutical-grade materials, advancing both space exploration and healthcare capabilities.