Press Release: UK Space Agency Backs International Project to Advance Space-Enabled Biopharma with Partners in Germany and the USA
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Frontier Space has been awarded funding through the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund (IBF) to lead Project BRIDGE (Biopharma R&D In Developing Global Ecosystems).
Project BRIDGE is an international collaboration between Frontier Space (UK), The Exploration Company (Germany) and a US-based biopharmaceutical company. The project will develop a modular Cargo Handling System (CHS) designed to enable the secure transport and handling of biological materials in orbit and their safe return to Earth. The project will also develop a Microgravity Innovation Strategy to assess potential space-enabled R&D and biomanufacturing for biopharmaceuticals.
The CHS will provide environmental control and autonomous handling capabilities for pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D and biomanufacturing in microgravity. By integrating with next-generation spacecraft such as Nyx capsule, with its safe cargo return capabilities, the project seeks to establish a foundation for near-future, reliable space-enabled assets for biopharma and biotechnology companies. CHS will also enable access to national space agencies globally, who are seeking continued access to space research platforms following the planned decommissioning of the International Space Station at the end of 2030.
The initiative will be delivered from the UK and will include a series of technical workshops and strategic engagement with industry partners. The consulting partner will work with Frontier Space to identify use cases, operational requirements, and opportunities for future pharmaceutical R&D in orbit. The project will also involve Paul Reichert, Principal Consultant for Space Biologics Rx LLC and former MSD Biologics Crystallisation Processes for Drug Delivery and Manufacturing Applications expert, whose global leadership in protein crystallisation in microgravity will help guide the scientific direction of the programme, alongside specialists in advanced 3D technologies supporting the initiative.
Paul Reichert said:
"I am delighted to join Frontier Space to bridge the gap between orbital research and terrestrial drug development. By leveraging microgravity to optimise protein crystallisation, we are building the scalable infrastructure needed to make space-enabled life sciences a routine part of future pharmaceutical R&D."
Aqeel Shamsul, Founder and Chief Executive of Frontier Space, said:
“The IBF funding award has enabled us to bring global leaders in microgravity-enabled protein crystallisation and advanced 3D technologies alongside the European leader in space logistics and commercial spaceflight. Building from our first IBF with The Exploration Company, we are combining UK space biotech expertise with real-world pharma input on Nyx capsule’s safe cargo return capabilities to support the future of scalable space-based drug development and biomanufacturing, preparing us for the post-International Space Station era.”
Project BRIDGE responds directly to the increasing demand for secure and commercially viable access to space for the life sciences sector. It supports the UK’s role in developing new standards and infrastructure for the post-ISS research environment and contributes to the wider development of international partnerships in the space economy.
“Project BRIDGE represents a vital step in establishing the repeatable, reliable workflows that future space-based biomanufacturing will depend on. By integrating the Cargo Handling System with our Nyx capsule’s safe cargo return capabilities, this collaboration will enable pharmaceutical partners to run scalable R&D and manufacturing in microgravity. We are proud to contribute our European leadership in space logistics to support the UK’s ambition to shape the future of life sciences in orbit beyond the ISS.” - Victor Maier, Lead Germany & Central Europe Business, The Exploration Company
About Frontier Space
Frontier Space is a UK space biotech company building platform technology to unlock the potential of pharmaceutical in-space biomanufacturing and research & development for the emerging commercial space industry. The company’s platform technologies, SpaceLab and XSB, aim to offer accessible, flexible, and scalable infrastructure for pharmaceutical R&D and biomanufacturing in orbit.
Media Contact
Anjali Sanjay
Frontier Space Technologies Ltd
Comments