SpacePharma

SpacePharma is a Swiss–Israeli biotechnology company with a primary focus on conducting scientific experiments in microgravity conditions. The company was the first fully private, commercially oriented company established with the specific intention to conduct pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) and manufacturing in space.[1]

SpacePharma
TypePrivately held company
IndustrySpace industry, biotechnology
Founded2012
FounderYossi Yamin, Martin Aebi (Ido Priel left his active position)
Headquarters
Courgenay
,
Switzerland
ProductsSPMG, NEXUS, DIDO, SPAd, SPID, MOTI
ServicesMicrogravity research
Number of employees
apx 20
Websitespacepharma.health

The company was founded by Yossi Yamin, a former Commander of an Israeli Satellite Unit in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). As of the mid-2020s, SpacePharma has offices in Herzliya, Israel; Courgenay, Switzerland; and Palo Alto, California, with a Space Life Sciences Lab in Exploration Park, Florida, US.[2]

Overview

SpacePharma provides end-to-end microgravity services and solutions for research. The company operates miniaturized, unmanned, remotely controlled, and fully automated labs based on lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology, which are suitable for a wide variety of life science and chemistry experiments. These labs are designed to conduct research in space and to leverage the microgravity conditions that can't be replicated in terrestrial settings.[3]

Operations

SpacePharma's operations include the launch and operation of free-orbit satellites and labs onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The company's DIDO-2 and DIDO-3 satellites were launched in 2017 and 2020 respectively, carrying experiments to study crystallization, emulsion, enzyme activity and antimicrobial resistance in microgravity.[4][5]

Additionally, SpacePharma has launched at least 7 autonomous labs to the ISS since 2017, starting with the NEXUS-1[6] and NEXUS-2 labs,[7] followed by the SPAd and SPAd-2 labs.[8][9] In April 2022 a SPAd-2 lab was delivered to the ISS on the Axiom-1 mission, where it performed a series of experiments studying bone loss, DNA damage repair, and the cultivation of cultured meat in space.[8]

SpacePharma has announced it is working on a large scale pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in orbit named MoTi.[10]

References
  1. "SpacePharma CEO Yossi Yamin Leads The Company To New Heights". The Science Times. 21 July 2022.
  2. "SpacePharma SA launches American subsidiary, SpacePharma, Inc". SpaceREF. 16 August 2016.
  3. "Israeli experiments in space: The future is here!". Jerusalem Post. 9 May 2022.
  4. "מעבדה רפואית בחלל: מחר ישוגר הלוויין הראשון של חברת SpacePharma". Hayadan. 14 February 2017.
  5. "Israel makes history, launches DIDO III satellite into space". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  6. "Israel's mini space lab arrives at International Space Station". IsraelandStuff.com. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  7. "מעבדת חלל של ספייס פארמה המכילה ניסוי בתאי גזע תשוגר מחר (שבת) לתחנת החלל הבין-לאומית". hayadan. 16 November 2018.
  8. "SpacePharma launched to the ISS aboard all-private Axiom-1 Mission". ESA BSGN. 7 April 2022.
  9. "Cutiss has skin in the space game with new study on the International Space Station". Tech EU. 18 March 2023.
  10. "Israel's SpacePharma is pioneering the 'Made in Space' revolution". Calcalist Tech. 12 February 2021.


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