Wara Samar
25th November 2024
Can Drug Development Be Faster, More Accurate, and Affordable? Exobiosphere Says Yes—With Space-Based Testing
Did you know the drug development process can cost up to €2 billion and take more than 10 years, with a failure rate exceeding 90%? Half of these failures stem from inaccurate in vitro models that cannot replicate real human responses. What if there was a way to conduct preclinical testing in an environment where cells grow more naturally, and results are more predictive?
Exobiosphere, a newly founded pre-clinical Contract Research Organization based in Luxembourg, aims to revolutionize drug development by leveraging microgravity in space to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of preclinical studies.
Bridging Earth and Space for Better Healthcare
Exobiosphere, established in August 2024 and headquartered at the House of BioHealth, is on a mission to integrate space technology with biotech to improve health outcomes on Earth. The startup, led by Kyle Acierno, Co-founder and CEO, and Dr. Olivia Borgue, Co-founder and Director of Engineering, sees microgravity as a game-changer for drug discovery and testing.
“By conducting in vitro studies in space, we can create more accurate disease models, speeding up drug development and reducing clinical failures,” says Dr. Olivia Borgue. “Our approach offers pharmaceutical companies a unique advantage: better preclinical data for safer, more effective therapies.”
The Space Advantage: Why Microgravity Matters
Decades of research on the International Space Station (ISS) show that cells grow faster and in more physiologically relevant, three-dimensional structures in microgravity. This environment enhances the reliability of in vitro models, allowing for high-throughput screening with greater predictive accuracy.
Exobiosphere’s solution is the Orbital High-Throughput Screener (OHTS), a compact space payload designed to conduct automated in vitro testing. Set for its first launch in 2026, the OHTS will initially focus on applications such as tumor screening, neurodegenerative disease research, and complex 3D disease modeling.
Market Potential and Strategic Growth
Pharmaceutical companies currently invest around 25% of their revenue in R&D. Exobiosphere estimates that up to 10% of preclinical research could eventually be conducted in space, representing a €1.5 billion market opportunity.
Despite being a newly established company, Exobiosphere has already made significant strides. The startup has secured partnerships with the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) and the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) and is in discussions with the Luxembourg Space Agency, supported by the European Space Agency.
Moving Forward: Validation and Growth
The initial validation phase will compare terrestrial and space-based preclinical results, providing pharmaceutical companies with concrete evidence of the benefits. Early adopters have already shown interest, and Exobiosphere has secured two clients for its first OHTS launch.
“Our ultimate goal is to reduce drug development costs and failure rates, making therapies more accessible and effective,” Dr. Borgue adds. “Space-based research opens up possibilities we’ve only begun to explore.”
With its innovative approach and strong industry partnerships, Exobiosphere is charting a new course in biotech, demonstrating that the path to better healthcare might just run through space.
Stay Ahead in MedTech Innovation!
Excited to lead the way in MedTech innovation? Secure your tickets at early rates for MedTech Malta 2025, taking place from 12 to 14 November in Valletta. Don’t miss the chance to connect with industry leaders, innovators, and investors, all under the same roof.
