The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has partnered with BiologIC Technologies to develop new technologies for drug manufacturing trials aboard the International Space Station.
According to BiologIC, a robust, expandable, and partially automated bio-processing infrastructure is needed for the harsh environment of space.
The company stated that it has created an accurate bio-processing platform that works in microgravity.
UKSA and BiologIC plan to develop a bio-processing platform capable of operating in the low Earth orbit and space environment’s microgravity.
Space-based bio-manufacturing has become a critical strategy for countries worldwide to sustain human activities in space, with bio-pharmaceutical companies developing new therapeutic values under microgravity conditions.
BiologIC intends to experiment with its bio-computer technology in space. Bio-computers are a new category of machines made from liquid bio-processing chips, similar to computer chips.
Advanced biotechnology enterprises are rapidly adopting this technology to work on cellular, genetic, antibody, ADC, RNA-LNP, and stem cell therapies.
The UK Space Agency will invest $84 million in this project.