Pharmaceutical Companies Look to Space for Drug Development
Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly turning their attention to space in order to develop and enhance drugs, as well as extend their patents. This new frontier has caught the eye of NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who believes that major breakthroughs in space-based drug research are on the horizon.
One company at the forefront of this trend is Merck, which is currently conducting research on the International Space Station (ISS) to inform the formulation of their cancer immunotherapy drug, Keytruda. By utilizing the unique conditions of microgravity, scientists hope to grow protein crystals with improved properties, potentially revolutionizing drug delivery methods.
The potential of space-based research to enhance the safety and efficacy of cancer treatments is encouraging scientists worldwide. The ability to save more lives through improved drug development is a driving force behind the interest of pharmaceutical companies in space.
However, despite the anticipated benefits, there is ongoing debate in Congress about increasing NASA’s budget for space-based drug research and development. Critics argue that resources should be allocated elsewhere, while proponents emphasize the potential for groundbreaking discoveries in this field.
Complicating matters is the United States’ plan to retire the ISS in 2030 and hand over space-based research to commercial labs. While commercialization aims to provide more room for experiments at a lower cost, concerns remain about the readiness and capabilities of these labs to continue drug research effectively.
Merck’s biochemist, Paul Reichert, sees immense promise in health research and development breakthroughs in space, particularly in protein crystal growth and vaccine development. Opportunities for cancer prevention research and stem cell research are also being explored.
Collaboration between NASA, the International Space Station National Laboratory, and other government agencies and organizations is crucial for advancing space-based drug research. With limited budgets, securing funding for this type of research remains a challenge, as NASA’s funding is currently being debated in Congress.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, experts believe that space-based drug research is still in its early stages, with tremendous opportunities for future advancements. As the transition to commercial labs approaches, the industry eagerly awaits the next chapter in this exciting and potentially life-saving field of research.
