Eli Lilly’s New Venture into Space Explores the Next Frontier of Pharmaceutical Development
The recent decades have been witnessing exceptional progress in the field of science and technology. With innovations no longer bound to the geographical parameters of the planet, technology has capitalized on every existing resource. Along with scientific development, the world has also been subjected to a concerning number of health-related incidences. Growing awareness and overall consciousness towards health care has created a massive burden on the medical sector, especially drug research and development. Drug development has always been a time-consuming process.
Gravitational bounds and several other earthly interferences have been a rate-limiting parameter for pharmaceutical progress. Scientists proposed space-based pharma operations to overcome these terrestrial hindrances. The success of Bristol Myers Squibb’s (BMS’s) R&D venture into space was a significant milestone in the history of drug development. This collaboration with the International Space Station’s National Laboratory, pushing research beyond the fringes of Earth’s gravitational pull, inspired several other pharma giants to join the efforts. Eli Lilly and Company is to be the host of the following significant achievement in partnership with Redwire.
A leading figure in the field of space infrastructure, Redwire Corporation is the next-generation space economy. Its valuable IP resources aiding solar energy generation and 3D printing and manufacturing in space have provided Redwire a strategic advantage in the field of space-based technological solutions, among several other services. Decades of experience combined with agility, innovative cultures, and flight heritage dating back to the early era of the space shuttle via its Advanced Space Experiment Processor uniquely positions the company to facilitate solutions to complex challenges in future space missions.
As a bearer of pioneering technologies with the potential to greatly impact the direction of the future of several industries, Redwire maintains a significantly active research portfolio. The company recently announced its cooperation with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company in a press release. The joint venture involves the utilization of NASA’s SpaceX’s 29th cargo resupply services mission to launch Eli Lilly’s PIL-BOX into Redwire’s orbit. The cutting-edge in-space pharmaceutical platform for manufacturing is aimed to aid a flexible venue for the research and small-batched production of protein-based pharmaceuticals.
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As part of the chief mission, PIL-BOX-01, the pharmaceutical company will pitch in with three unique research models. Primarily revolving around the therapeutic development of conditions involving diabetes, cardiovascular syndromes, and pain, it will provide drugmakers with pliable solutions to generate small batches of pharmaceuticals in space.
Executive Vice President of Redwire, John Vellinger, explained once, “The microgravity environment is a game changer for pharmaceutical drug development, which has a greater than $240 billion annual spend in 2022 and has tremendous potential to save and improve life on Earth, PIL-BOX presents us with a brand-new capability for developing critical, life-saving treatments, like insulin, for diseases like diabetes and heart disease. With PIL-BOX, Redwire is providing a critical capability for researchers and enabling them to develop novel forms of crystals to create better, more successful treatments for patients.” Redwire’s extensive expertise in various aspects of space biotechnology and microgravitational development targeting Space-specific environments highly enhances the potential of the project.
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