Exobiosphere secures LuxIMPULSE contract
Exobiosphere Secures LuxIMPULSE Contract to Advance Space-Based Drug Discovery
Exobiosphere has been awarded a LuxIMPULSE contract funded by the Government of Luxembourg, with technical oversight from the European Space Agency and implementation with the Luxembourg Space Agency. This support will drive the development of the Orbital High-Throughput Screener, a space-based drug discovery platform designed to expand research capabilities in oncology, regenerative medicine, and immunotherapy.
Expanding Drug Discovery Through Microgravity Research
By conducting biomedical experiments in space, Exobiosphere is enabling research that unlocks new insights into disease modeling, drug discovery, and therapeutic development. The project will focus on refining key technologies, integrating AI and automated screening systems, and advancing experimental capabilities, bringing space-based drug discovery closer to widespread application.
Microgravity offers a unique platform to study cellular behavior and biological processes that cannot be replicated on Earth. With the ability to analyze how diseases progress and how drugs interact with human cells in this environment, the platform will provide pharmaceutical and biotech companies with new tools to accelerate medical innovation.
"This contract represents a key milestone in continuing to establish space as a valuable platform for drug discovery. Our vision is to improve health on Earth and in Space. This system is a crucial step toward integrating microgravity research into mainstream pharmaceutical development, bringing us closer to a future where space actively and directly contributes to advancing human health on a daily basis," said Kyle Acierno, CEO of Exobiosphere
Engineering a New Standard for Space-Based Research
The Orbital High-Throughput Screener leverages advanced robotics to precisely handle over thousands of biological samples, making it the high-throughput platform for space research. The standardized system utilizes hardware compatible with industry recognized well plates, significantly lowering barriers to mass adoption. Additionally, the integration of high-resolution imaging, combined with live data transfer to Earth, ensures full autonomy, real-time experiment monitoring, and the generation of vast amounts of high-quality space-derived data.
"Our system is built to perform fully automated, high-precision experiments in space, an essential step in bringing microgravity research into pharmaceutical development. We are designing a system that not only enhances scientific discovery, but is also engineered for long-term operational use," said Olivia Borgue, Project Manager and Director of Engineering at Exobiosphere.
Strengthening Luxembourg’s Position in Space Innovation
This project reinforces Luxembourg’s commitment to advancing space-based biotechnology and broadening the role of microgravity research in healthcare. As demand for more efficient drug discovery methods continues to grow, Exobiosphere’s work contributes to bridging the gap between space research and real-world medical applications.
"Luxembourg is dedicated to fostering innovation at the intersection of space and life sciences. Supporting companies like Exobiosphere is part of our broader vision to expand the capabilities of the space sector and its contributions to global healthcare," said Marc Serres, CEO of the Luxembourg Space Agency.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements!