British startup BioOrbit has successfully completed a mission on the International Space Station. The company sent the Baby BOX-E platform into orbit to produce protein crystals in microgravity conditions.
The launch took place in May 2026 aboard a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Center. The apparatus spent about six weeks on the ISS. As a result, it was possible to obtain the largest volumes of protein crystals grown in space to date.
The goal of the project is to create cancer drugs that can be administered independently at home rather than intravenously in a hospital. In microgravity, crystals form more uniformly and stably than on Earth. This opens the way to concentrated and easy-to-use medications.
The mission took place against a backdrop of record investment: BioOrbit raised £9,8 million in seed funding. This is the largest sum for a startup engaged in pharmaceutical manufacturing in space.
The company's founders are scientist Dr. Katie King and oncologist Dr. Leonor Teles. Since 2023, BioOrbit has been supported by the ESA BIC UK program with the participation of STFC. The company is developing technologies for a future orbital pharmaceutical factory.
According to BioOrbit's estimates, this approach could reduce the cost of administering drugs by up to 90%. This concerns the antibody therapy market, worth about £1 trillion. Patients, especially in remote areas or with weakened immune systems, will be able to receive treatment without frequent visits to the clinic.
Katie King noted: "This mission marks the beginning of a new era in drug manufacturing. We strive to move cancer treatment from the hospital ward to the home."
Meanwhile, BioOrbit continues working on scaling the technology. The next steps include processing the crystals on Earth and preparing for larger production missions.
