Pharma Firms Developed Platforms for Orbital Manufacturing
Companies have accelerated orbital research to address microgravity's unique ability to structure complex biological materials.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Biotech
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Pharmaceutical companies are transitioning from experimental research to commercial manufacturing platforms in low Earth orbit. These efforts aim to leverage microgravity to produce biological materials that are difficult to replicate on Earth, as regulators begin to establish formal safety frameworks for space-made medicine.
Why it matters
The push toward orbital manufacturing seeks to overcome the scalability limitations and space constraints of the aging International Space Station. Commercial entities are now designing dedicated platforms to secure a path for space-based drug production before the station is retired.
LambdaVision has completed nine missions to the International Space Station since 2018 to test manufacturing techniques. These missions have focused on refining the distribution of cells and particles, which remains a key challenge for Earth-based biomanufacturing.
The players
LambdaVision
A biotechnology firm specializing in protein-based artificial retinas and long-term orbital research.
Auxilium Biotechnologies
A research entity focused on utilizing 3D bioprinting technology to structure human cells in microgravity environments.
Merck
A global pharmaceutical corporation conducting research on orbital subcutaneous drug formulations.
Starlab
A commercial space company developing an orbital platform designed to provide modular laboratory capacity and shared infrastructure.
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
The United Kingdom regulatory body currently developing guidance for the certification of medicines manufactured in space.
The details
Microgravity allows researchers to suspend cells and particles in a solution without the sedimentation and convection currents found under Earth's gravity. Auxilium Biotechnologies has utilized a 3D bioprinter on the International Space Station to create structures containing human liver, kidney, and cartilage cells. New commercial orbital platforms are being designed to replace the retiring International Space Station with features like automation, predictable launch schedules, and shared laboratory equipment.
Timeline
LambdaVision began its mission series to the International Space Station in 2018.
British regulators announced the development of space-manufactured medicine guidance in March 2026.
The British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency expects to publish its regulatory roadmap by the end of 2026.
NASA plans to retire the International Space Station by the end of the decade.
LambdaVision aims to initiate clinical trials using space-produced materials by 2028.
The Tech Race
This development marks a transition from experimental research supported by the 2018 NASA-FDA memorandum of understanding to a commercialized race for orbital dominance. Companies like Varda Space Industries and Axiom Space are now competing to provide the manufacturing infrastructure needed to replace the International Space Station.
Consumers will not see immediate changes, as these manufacturing platforms are still in development and require new regulatory approval pathways. Clinical trials utilizing space-manufactured components are not expected to begin until 2028 at the earliest.
The takeaway
The sector is shifting toward a scalable commercial model where orbital manufacturing becomes a routine component of drug development. Watch for the British regulator’s roadmap publication at the end of 2026 to see how these space-made products will be legally classified for future clinical use.
What happens next
Regulators in the United Kingdom are expected to release a comprehensive roadmap for space-manufactured medicine regulations by the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more context on how laboratory research translates to commercial production, explore our coverage of Biotech.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Taipei Times.
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Should private companies prioritize manufacturing medical treatments in space to advance research?
