The Americans launched the world's first space plant. It will produce medicines right in orbit

California startup Varda informed on the successful launch of the world's first space pharmaceutical factory into orbit. It is about the size of a yoga ball and is now about 1,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The launch took place on June 12 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

During the week, the production satellite will conduct tests to verify the functionality of the system. If all goes according to plan, the machine will begin experimenting with ritonavir, an HIV/AIDS drug that has been in use since the 1960s. The mini-plant will produce test samples and analyze the structure of space-grown crystals of the substance under heating and cooling to check the stability of crystallization.

The fact is that different types of substance crystals can be obtained from the same molecules, which will differ in efficiency and digestibility by the body. The ability to precisely control this structure is the main advantage of working in orbit.

Varda believes that in microgravity conditions, in the absence of convection, it will be possible to better regulate particle size distribution, achieving perfect crystallization and even the creation of new types, impossible on earth. This will improve bioavailability drugs, extend their shelf life, and develop new drugs and routes of administration.

In laboratories with microgravity, it will be possible to control the crystalline form of drugs as accurately as possible. This is not about ready-made tablets with cheap fillers and shells, but about active active ingredients, the work with which on Earth requires huge investments.

An example of such drugs is blinatumomab (available commercially as Blincyto). This is a drug for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a kilogram of which costs 114.3 billion dollars. Also illustrative is the example of mRNA-vancin. It took 2 gallons of mRNA (about 7.6 liters) to produce the entire coronavirus vaccine released by Pfizer. This volume of mRNA was worth $75 billion.

That is why laboratories in space are of interest for the development of new drugs and the reduction in the cost of production of some existing ones. With space shipping getting cheaper (largely thanks to private space companies), Varda's orbital plant is unlikely to be the only one of its kind for long.

The first Varda laboratory will stay in orbit until August, and will begin its descent at the beginning of the month. In the lower atmosphere, it will open its parachutes and make a soft landing at a training ground in Utah (USA). Scientists believe that the landing will not damage equipment and medicines. If the first attempt is successful, Varda will launch a second satellite before the end of the year, and in the future plans to switch to reusable vehicles with the delivery of drugs and materials on rockets.