#United States #Burlington #Azenta Life Sciences #Frontier Space #EGGS-2

Azenta Life Sciences and Frontier Space Establish Strategic Alliance for Space Research

Azenta, Inc. (Nasdaq: AZTA) has recently announced a collaboration with Frontier Space, a leader in commercial space-based research frameworks, aimed at enhancing scientific exploration in the distinctive conditions of space. This partnership highlights the potential of microgravity in expediting innovation and research breakthroughs in life sciences.

The alliance coincides with Azenta's involvement in the pioneering EGGS-2 (Early Gen micro-Gravity Service) mission, a project co-developed with Orbital Paradigm. This significant mission is designed to evaluate the performance of Frontier’s SpaceLab Mk 2 research platform in real-world spaceflight settings. The overarching goal is to finely tune services that facilitate life sciences research beyond Earth, capitalizing on the unique environments offered by space.

One of the focal points of this partnership is the utilization of cutting-edge sample management technologies from Azenta. During the EGGS-2 mission, 42 passive experimental samples were sent into space, employing Azenta’s high-precision FluidX™ 0.26mL tubes, which are engineered for reliability and durability under extreme conditions. By integrating these tubes into a customized container designed specifically for such missions, the researchers can ensure the safety and integrity of the samples throughout the launch and spaceflight operations.

A critical aspect of the mission is assessing SpaceLab Mk 2's active thermal management capabilities. This includes the implementation of systems that maintain precise temperature controls and thermal cycling crucial for life sciences experiments conducted in microgravity. To facilitate this, advanced thermal sensors installed in the payload will provide real-time monitoring of temperature alterations during the mission. These insights are invaluable, as they can reveal how the conditions in space might influence biological processes, enabling researchers to accelerate their scientific discoveries and explore phenomena that are challenging to reproduce on Earth.

Dr. Aqeel Shamsul, CEO of Frontier Space, emphasized the significance of the SpaceLab Mk 2 as it showcases their technology's readiness for orbital operations. He stated, "By verifying our systems under actual space conditions, we’re enhancing confidence in our technology, which is pivotal for the future of pharmaceutical research and biomanufacturing in orbit."

Further expressing enthusiasm about this collaboration, Michael Bussmann, Vice President and General Manager of Consumables and Instruments at Azenta Life Sciences, noted how this mission represents a vital step in expanding their technologies into new environments. He indicated that their FluidX technology is meticulously designed to function effectively under the most demanding circumstances, now including space missions.

The initial insights gained from this partnership are expected to provide a valuable foundation that reinforces Azenta’s commitment to advancing the frontier of life sciences research in space. This collaboration ultimately paves the way for pharmaceutical and biological studies in orbit to become a routine aspect of scientific inquiry, illustrating the endless possibilities available when harnessing the unique conditions of outer space.

About Azenta Life Sciences

Azenta, Inc. is a prominent provider of life sciences solutions globally. They empower life science organizations to bring key breakthroughs and therapies to market efficiently. Their offerings encompass a complete range of dependable sample management solutions and services across numerous domains, from drug development to advanced cell therapies, catered to top-tier institutions worldwide.

About Frontier Space

Frontier Space, a UK-based biotechnology company, specializes in developing platform technologies aimed at unlocking the possibilities of pharmaceutical biomanufacturing and research in the emerging commercial space sector. Their innovative platform technologies are designed to offer scalable infrastructure solutions for research and development in orbit.

The collaboration between Azenta and Frontier Space signals a new era of discovery and innovation in life sciences, potentially transforming the landscape of scientific research in space for years to come.