For decades, NASA has enabled scientists to study the effects of microgravity on drug development, beginning with the Space Shuttle program. This research gained significant momentum in the 2010s following the completion of the International Space Station (ISS) and the deployment of full-time crew members dedicated to scientific research.
One of the most notable breakthroughs occurred in 2019, when researchers successfully grew a more uniform crystalline form of the cancer drug Keytruda in microgravity. This advancement could allow the drug to be administered via injection, eliminating the need for patients to spend hours in a clinic receiving intravenous treatment.
NASA has played a pivotal role in funding this research, covering the high costs of transporting experiments to the ISS and compensating astronauts for conducting the studies. However, challenges remain, including extended lead times for sending research to space. Despite these obstacles, the potential commercial applications of space-based drug manufacturing are becoming increasingly evident.
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