Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a leader in space infrastructure for the emerging space economy, has announced an exciting new mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with global biopharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). The mission will utilize Redwire’s innovative pharmaceutical research platform, PIL-BOX, to study small molecule drug compounds. This research aims to enhance drug stability, improve manufacturing processes, and drive efficiencies across therapeutic areas such as oncology, immunology, and cardiovascular disease. By leveraging the unique environment of space, the study has the potential to unlock new insights that could benefit drug development on Earth.
In addition to its partnership with BMS, Redwire is launching another PIL-BOX investigation in collaboration with ExesaLibero Pharma, a pharmaceutical startup. This research will focus on ELP-004, a novel drug designed to prevent bone loss caused by diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple myeloma, and certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancers. ELP-004 could represent a significant advancement in the treatment of these conditions by preventing excessive bone removal, a common complication of these diseases.
Redwire will also be working with Butler University on a third PIL-BOX investigation, marking the university’s second space-based research collaboration. The study aims to produce high-quality seed crystals in microgravity, which could improve the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals back on Earth. The microgravity environment is ideal for producing larger, purer crystals than is typically possible under Earth’s gravitational forces, offering potential breakthroughs in drug formulation and production.
John Vellinger, President of In-Space Industries at Redwire, highlighted the importance of these partnerships, stating: “We are thrilled to continue working with Bristol Myers Squibb, ExesaLibero Pharma, and Butler University, with the support of NASA and the ISS National Lab. The PIL-BOX platform has proven to be a reliable tool for conducting cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in space, and these new investigations are an exciting step forward in our mission to leverage microgravity to improve human health on Earth.”
To date, 16 PIL-BOX experiments have been successfully launched into space, and 12 more are set to launch on the upcoming SpaceX-31 cargo resupply mission to the ISS. These missions are part of Redwire’s ongoing effort to refine the performance of PIL-BOX and demonstrate its effectiveness in conducting repeatable, high-quality research. Past PIL-BOX studies have focused on crystal molecules relevant to treating cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes, paving the way for future breakthroughs in these and other therapeutic areas.
By conducting pharmaceutical research in space, Redwire is pushing the boundaries of drug development and manufacturing. The results of these investigations could lead to faster drug development, more effective treatments, and the potential to address unmet medical needs in ways that were previously unimaginable. As Redwire continues to partner with leading organizations in the biopharma sector, its work with PIL-BOX is solidifying the platform’s status as a premier tool for space-based pharmaceutical research, with the potential to transform the industry and improve patient outcomes across a variety of diseases.
About Redwire
Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is a global space infrastructure and innovation company enabling civil, commercial, and national security programs. Redwire’s proven and reliable capabilities include avionics, sensors, power solutions, critical structures, mechanisms, radio frequency systems, platforms, missions, and microgravity payloads. Redwire combines decades of flight heritage and proven experience with an agile and innovative culture. Redwire’s approximately 700 employees working from 16 facilities located throughout the United States and Europe are committed to building a bold future in space for humanity, pushing the envelope of discovery and science while creating a better world on Earth.
