Exobiosphere and Space Cargo Unlimited Team Up for Advanced Biotech in Space

In a recent event at the Paris Air Show, Exobiosphere S.à r.l. and Space Cargo Unlimited entered into a strategic partnership focusing on advancing biotechnology in space. This collaboration aims to enable high-throughput screening, a process pivotal for fast-tracking drug discovery by testing numerous chemical compounds swiftly to identify promising new medications.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signifies a common commitment to utilize Exobiosphere's Orbital High-Throughput Screening (OHTS) platform aboard Space Cargo Unlimited's BentoBox module in various flight missions. The BentoBox is a modular orbital platform engineered specifically to enhance research in microgravity conditions and facilitate space manufacturing. The OHTS system stands out by performing 200 times more standardized experiments than current space biotechnology platforms, making it a game-changer for biomedical research.

As discussed by Kyle Acierno, CEO of Exobiosphere, this partnership is designed to provide Europe with its first truly sovereign capability for end-to-end drug discovery and biomedical screening in low Earth orbit. The OHTS system aims to conduct thousands of autonomous cellular experiments during each mission, with potential clinical applications spanning oncology, neurodegeneration, and regenerative medicine, showcasing the rich potential of space for biomedical advancements.

The BentoBox is set to accommodate Exobiosphere's payloads and will evolve with increasing services to optimize OHTS capabilities and meet customer needs. Equipped with real-time data management, AI-powered software support, thermal management, and anti-vibration systems, the BentoBox brings researchers closer to real-space conditions, minimizing the delays and constraints common with traditional lab operations, which often involve human personnel.

With the launch of their first joint mission anticipated in 2026, Exobiosphere will transport its autonomous screening payload, capable of conducting over 2,000 cellular tests per mission. The OHTS system will be integrated into the BentoBox, which will initially be launched aboard the Phoenix, a small, recoverable aircraft developed by ATMOS, followed by subsequent missions on the REV1, a larger prototype by Space Cargo Unlimited. This arrangement aims to facilitate frequent, cost-effective space research.

Nicolas Gaume, CEO of Space Cargo Unlimited, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, "This collaboration solidifies our vision of space as the next frontier for biotechnology. Our BentoBox platform, combined with the OHTS system, offers pharmaceutical and life sciences clients across Europe a dedicated and autonomous orbital laboratory, providing real-time data and enhanced control compared to traditional methods that rely on the ISS. This acceleration is vital for the rapid commercialization of space biotechnology."

The partnership aligns with the growing demand for health technologies based on microgravity research. Studies suggest that cells behave differently in space, demonstrating accelerated growth, aging, and drug response, factors that significantly enhance the predictive capability of preclinical models in drug development. The OHTS leverages these unique behaviors by offering automated, scalable high-throughput tests, which would otherwise take months or years to replicate under earthly conditions.

By pooling Space Cargo Unlimited's logistical and infrastructural capabilities with Exobiosphere's biotechnology expertise, the two companies are creating a unique ecosystem to benefit pharmaceutical, academic, and governmental entities seeking new R&D capacities. The agreement at the Paris Air Show underscores both companies' dedication to enhancing European autonomy in space sciences and establishing space as a viable laboratory for the next generation of therapies.

Contact Information:
Exobiosphere
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.exobiosphere.com
Space Cargo Unlimited
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.space-cu.com

About Exobiosphere:
Exobiosphere is the world’s leading contract research organization focused on high-throughput testing and drug discovery in space. The company integrates space-based laboratory automation with microgravity research and advanced analytics to enable partners in pharmaceutical, biotech, and health sectors to streamline scientific discovery and accelerate product development. Their orbital high-throughput screening platform is crafted to uncover cellular and pathological behaviors in microgravity, offering insights difficult or impossible to replicate on Earth. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Exobiosphere strives to reduce research and development timelines, ultimately bringing safer and more effective treatments to patients worldwide.

About Space Cargo Unlimited:
Space Cargo Unlimited is at the forefront of developing the next generation of European space infrastructures to facilitate autonomous missions capable of returning from low Earth orbit. Their BentoBox platform serves as an orbital research and production laboratory designed to support microgravity research and space manufacturing, as well as tech demonstration on a commercial scale. From its inception, the platform has been designed to maximize data access, control, and reproducibility, allowing scientific and industrial users to test, build, and return new discoveries from space. Based in Luxembourg with a growing ecosystem of European partners, Space Cargo Unlimited is dedicated to unlocking the full value of microgravity for terrestrial applications.

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