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American Startup Varda Space Receives US$ 187 Million to Accelerate Drug Production in Microgravity and Expand Operations Beyond the ISS
Varda Space Industries, a company from the United States, raised US$ 187 million in its latest funding round. The announcement was made in a press release on Thursday, July 10. With this, the total raised by the company reaches US$ 329 million. Varda Space’s focus is on manufacturing drugs in a microgravity environment.
The round was led by Natural Capital and Shrug Capital. Other investors included billionaire Peter Thiel, Lux Capital, and Founders Fund.
According to the company, the new infusion of resources will help accelerate the development of drugs that would be impossible to produce on Earth.
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Microgravity to Create New Formulations
Varda Space claims that space environments allow for a different crystallization of pharmaceutical materials.
This process can result in more effective or stable drugs. The company believes that microgravity conditions enable new formulations that would not be feasible on terrestrial soil.
One cited example involves a previous study by pharmaceutical company Merck. In 2023, the company conducted research on the International Space Station that showed a more stable version of pembrolizumab, an ingredient in the cancer drug Keytruda.
During its first mission, called W-1, Varda managed to grow crystals of the anti-HIV drug ritonavir.
The experiment took place aboard a spacecraft that orbited the Earth at low altitude. The company highlights that it was the first time this type of processing was done outside the International Space Station (ISS).
Mass Production of Drugs Is on the Agenda
The startup is also setting its sights on larger-scale production. According to co-founder Delian Asparouhov, the company’s current vehicles can bring back to Earth about 50 kilograms of active pharmaceutical ingredient.
He states that, in some cases, this is equivalent to a complete production batch for a quarter.
According to Varda Space, the concept of “mass production” does not require larger spacecraft. The current model already meets the needs for certain high-value-added drugs.
Fourth Mission Underway and Physical Expansion
The company has already completed three successful launch and return missions. A fourth mission is in orbit, and the fifth is scheduled for later this year.
Varda was founded by Will Bruey, a former SpaceX engineer, and Delian Asparouhov from Founders Fund.
Recently, the company also expanded its physical presence. It opened a new office in Huntsville, Alaska, and a lab in El Segundo, California.
This lab will be used to crystallize biological drugs and improve their formulations.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
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