The UK government has committed to advancing the nascent industry of space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing with a package of measures for businesses in the field.
There is a lot of excitement around the concept of in-orbit drug development. The unique conditions created by low-gravity environments, ones that cannot be replicated on Earth, can make powerful changes to the formation of drugs.
Companies and researchers are exploring how drugs developed in microgravity conditions can make strides in combatting conditions like cancer.
One such company is BioOrbit, which described to UKTN how the crystallisation process of cancer drug development is made almost impossible due to the influence of Earth’s gravity.
Read more: Early Impact: How BioOrbit plans to make cancer drugs in space
The government has seen a major opportunity in this area of research and has already committed billions to developing the wider space industry of the UK.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said on Thursday that new measures will provide industry with greater regulatory clarity and a clearer pathway from research in orbit to patient access on Earth.
A coordinated effort from the UK Space Agency, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will see regulatory guidance, case studies, a regulatory sandbox and supply-chain engagement offered to the industry.
“The UK is taking medical breakthroughs from orbit to patient – tackling the practical barriers that have held back commercial in-orbit manufacturing, from regulatory uncertainty to supply chain gaps,” said Space Minister Liz Lloyd.
Lord David Willetts, chair of the UK Space Agency and RIO added: “In-orbit manufacturing of pharmaceuticals represents a significant opportunity for the UK, combining the growth potential of our space sector with the promise of better treatments for patients.
“Setting out a clear adoption pathway with well-defined regulatory requirements gives investors and entrepreneurs the confidence they need to bring these innovations to market.”
