Latest news with #Aspera
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Redwire Awarded Contract from Aspera Biomedicines to Investigate Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatment in Space
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, announced today that it has been awarded a contract from Aspera Biomedicines, Inc. (Aspera), a pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of cancer stem cell targeted therapies, to conduct space-based research and analysis on a new cancer treatment using Redwire's Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory (PIL-BOX) technology. Aspera will use this mission to advance development of rebecsinib, a small molecule ADAR1 inhibitor recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin first-in-human trials. On Earth, scientists have noted an upregulation – or increased rate of expression – of the ADAR1 protein in cancer stem cells as being linked to the accelerated progression of some types of cancer. Researchers at Aspera have analyzed data from two previous spaceflight experiments that showed that rebecsinib can inhibit expression of ADAR1, halting the progression of cancer stem cell propagation in triple-negative breast cancer organoid models. Results from Aspera's prior experiments indicate that rebecsinib could behave as a cancer 'kill switch.' On this mission, Aspera researchers will analyze the crystal structure of ADAR1p150 with and without rebecsinib or intermediates. The results of this analysis could enhance opportunities to develop new drug formulations and a broader array of ADAR1 inhibitors. 'Redwire is excited to facilitate critical space research for Aspera Biomedicines' cutting-edge cancer treatment that could have major implications in the global fight against cancer,' said Redwire's President of In-Space Industries John Vellinger. 'Redwire's PIL-BOX technology continues to be a critical resource for enabling game-changing discoveries to advance human health.' 'At Aspera, it is a privilege to partner with our industrious and innovative colleagues at NASA, CASIS, and Redwire, through a NASA In Space Phase 2 biomanufacturing grant, to utilize microgravity to enhance and accelerate protein crystallization of the target of our FDA IND-approved small molecule inhibitor of the cancer cloning and immune evasion gene, ADAR1p150,' said Aspera's co-founder, Catriona Jamieson. 'We anticipate that this unique partnership combined with the science accelerating environment of the NASA International Space Station will extend the spectrum of small molecule 'cancer kill switches' aimed at preventing cancer stem cell cloning and immune evasion properties that drive relapse, the leading cause of cancer-related mortality.' With 28 units flown and processed to date, PIL-BOX is the premier platform for pharmaceutical researchers, leveraging the microgravity environment to grow small-batch crystals of protein-based pharmaceuticals and other key pharmaceutically relevant molecules. Previous PIL-BOX investigations conducted with partners including Bristol Myers Squibb, ExesaLibero Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, and Butler University have focused on unlocking insights to improve treatments for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The Aspera cancer treatment investigation is slated to launch later this year. About Redwire Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is a global space infrastructure and innovation company enabling civil, commercial, and national security programs. Redwire's proven and reliable capabilities include avionics, sensors, power solutions, critical structures, mechanisms, radio frequency systems, platforms, missions, and microgravity payloads. Redwire combines decades of flight heritage and proven experience with an agile and innovative culture. Redwire's approximately 750 employees working from 17 facilities located throughout the United States and Europe are committed to building a bold future in space for humanity, pushing the envelope of discovery and science while creating a better world on Earth. For more information, please visit About Aspera Biomedicines Aspera Biomedicines was founded in San Diego in 2020 to develop cancer stem cell targeting small molecule inhibitors together with platform technologies that detect normal stem cell fitness and precancer and cancer stem cell development. With the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), NASA, and angel investor support, Aspera is the first company to develop an FDA IND approved small molecule inhibitor of ADAR1 splicing for myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia that may also have implications for preventing recurrence and immune evasion in 20 cancers. By using microgravity to accelerate tumor growth with NASA and CASIS supported platforms as well as a dedicated collaborative partnership with Axiom Space, Aspera aims to investigate an expanded group of tumor indications for rebecsinib in patient derived tumor organoids to prevent the leading causes of cancer mortality—therapeutic resistance-related recurrence and metastases.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Redwire Awarded Contract from Aspera Biomedicines to Investigate Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatment in Space
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, announced today that it has been awarded a contract from Aspera Biomedicines, Inc. (Aspera), a pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of cancer stem cell targeted therapies, to conduct space-based research and analysis on a new cancer treatment using Redwire's Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory (PIL-BOX) technology. Aspera will use this mission to advance development of rebecsinib, a small molecule ADAR1 inhibitor recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin first-in-human trials. On Earth, scientists have noted an upregulation – or increased rate of expression – of the ADAR1 protein in cancer stem cells as being linked to the accelerated progression of some types of cancer. Researchers at Aspera have analyzed data from two previous spaceflight experiments that showed that rebecsinib can inhibit expression of ADAR1, halting the progression of cancer stem cell propagation in triple-negative breast cancer organoid models. Results from Aspera's prior experiments indicate that rebecsinib could behave as a cancer "kill switch." On this mission, Aspera researchers will analyze the crystal structure of ADAR1p150 with and without rebecsinib or intermediates. The results of this analysis could enhance opportunities to develop new drug formulations and a broader array of ADAR1 inhibitors. "Redwire is excited to facilitate critical space research for Aspera Biomedicines' cutting-edge cancer treatment that could have major implications in the global fight against cancer," said Redwire's President of In-Space Industries John Vellinger. "Redwire's PIL-BOX technology continues to be a critical resource for enabling game-changing discoveries to advance human health." "At Aspera, it is a privilege to partner with our industrious and innovative colleagues at NASA, CASIS, and Redwire, through a NASA In Space Phase 2 biomanufacturing grant, to utilize microgravity to enhance and accelerate protein crystallization of the target of our FDA IND-approved small molecule inhibitor of the cancer cloning and immune evasion gene, ADAR1p150," said Aspera's co-founder, Catriona Jamieson. "We anticipate that this unique partnership combined with the science accelerating environment of the NASA International Space Station will extend the spectrum of small molecule 'cancer kill switches' aimed at preventing cancer stem cell cloning and immune evasion properties that drive relapse, the leading cause of cancer-related mortality." With 28 units flown and processed to date, PIL-BOX is the premier platform for pharmaceutical researchers, leveraging the microgravity environment to grow small-batch crystals of protein-based pharmaceuticals and other key pharmaceutically relevant molecules. Previous PIL-BOX investigations conducted with partners including Bristol Myers Squibb, ExesaLibero Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, and Butler University have focused on unlocking insights to improve treatments for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The Aspera cancer treatment investigation is slated to launch later this year. About Redwire Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is a global space infrastructure and innovation company enabling civil, commercial, and national security programs. Redwire's proven and reliable capabilities include avionics, sensors, power solutions, critical structures, mechanisms, radio frequency systems, platforms, missions, and microgravity payloads. Redwire combines decades of flight heritage and proven experience with an agile and innovative culture. Redwire's approximately 750 employees working from 17 facilities located throughout the United States and Europe are committed to building a bold future in space for humanity, pushing the envelope of discovery and science while creating a better world on Earth. For more information, please visit About Aspera Biomedicines Aspera Biomedicines was founded in San Diego in 2020 to develop cancer stem cell targeting small molecule inhibitors together with platform technologies that detect normal stem cell fitness and precancer and cancer stem cell development. With the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), NASA, and angel investor support, Aspera is the first company to develop an FDA IND approved small molecule inhibitor of ADAR1 splicing for myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia that may also have implications for preventing recurrence and immune evasion in 20 cancers. By using microgravity to accelerate tumor growth with NASA and CASIS supported platforms as well as a dedicated collaborative partnership with Axiom Space, Aspera aims to investigate an expanded group of tumor indications for rebecsinib in patient derived tumor organoids to prevent the leading causes of cancer mortality—therapeutic resistance-related recurrence and metastases. View source version on Contacts Media Contacts: Emily Devine 305-632-9137 Investors: investorrelations@ 904-425-1431 Aspera:kmack@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Rocket Lab Stock a Buy Now?
Rocket Lab stock dropped after reporting an earnings miss earlier this week. The stock is up 25% off its lows and costs 10% more than before it missed earnings. Rocket Lab stock is volatile and will remain so. Wait for a pullback to buy. 10 stocks we like better than Rocket Lab USA › It's hard to keep a good company down, and Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) investors are happy to realize this. Earlier this month, as you may recall, Rocket Lab shares tumbled after missing on first-quarter earnings but beating on sales and guiding investors lower than expected for Q2. It didn't take the company long to right the rocketship, however. In quick succession, Rocket Lab announced: A launch contract for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to attempt point-to-point cargo transportation, launching a Neutron reusable rocket from point A on Earth and then landing it at some other point B -- also on Earth. A separate contract with NASA to launch the "Aspera" astrophysics science mission, which will "study the formation and evolution of galaxies and provide new insights into how the universe works." (Both these missions will launch in 2026. Neither one had a price disclosed.) The successful launch under an existing contract of a third (of eight total) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth-imaging satellite for Japan's Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). And the third (of four) launch and recovery of a W-class space capsule for orbital pharmaceuticals researcher Varda Space Industries. So it's been a busy week and a half for Rocket Lab, and all this activity has helped lift the stock nearly 25% off its post-earnings lows. In fact, Rocket Lab stock now costs 10% more than it did before investors sold it off on the earnings miss, which again, I should point out, happened less than two weeks ago! Granted, momentum investors can be a fickle bunch, selling like lemmings when news looks bad and displaying irrational exuberance when a former dog starts to look a bit like a growth stock. Still, this has been quite a roller-coaster ride. And it presents investors with an important question today: Were investors right to be worried by Rocket Lab's failure to hit its targets a couple of weeks ago? Or is the good news that Rocket Lab has seen in the days since that earnings release good enough to make the stock even more valuable now than it was before "missing earnings"? As a longtime shareholder in Rocket Lab myself, let me tell you how I look at it. Rocket Lab stock is volatile, but that kind of comes with the territory when investing in unprofitable start-up stocks that are hard to value on the earnings-that-they-don't-have-yet. It's going to remain volatile, too. Don't get me wrong. As America's second-most-frequent launcher of rockets, Rocket Lab does stretch the definition of "start-up." Still, the company lost $190 million last year and burned through $116 million in negative free cash flow. According to analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, moreover, Rocket Lab is still nearly two years away from reporting its first generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) profit and probably won't generate positive free cash flow before Q3 2026 -- about 18 months away. That's the bad news. The good news is that Rocket Lab remains on a strong growth track. Once Neutron begins launching regularly, revenues are forecast to explode, quadrupling to more than $1.8 billion by 2027, for example, with GAAP net income passing $300 million and free cash flow hurtling past $500 million. The question for long-term investors to ask, therefore, is whether it's reasonable to pay $11.8 billion for Rocket Lab today in hopes of seeing $300 million-ish profits (39x 2028 earnings) and $500 million-ish free cash flow (23x 2028 FCF) tomorrow. And the answer? I believe it actually is reasonable to make this investment, assuming you're willing to accept the risk that Rocket Lab takes longer than expected to hit these numbers and assuming the company's growth rate remains strong after it does so. That being said, I also think it's reasonable to anticipate Rocket Lab will hit bumps in the road between now and 2028. For example, as recently as 2022, analysts were forecasting Rocket Lab would earn its first profit in 2025. We now know that's not going to happen. It's therefore reasonable to anticipate other complications emerging as well -- a delay in Neutron's first launch to next year, for example, a delay in first profits past 2027, or similar "known unknowns." With Rocket Lab stock already well off its lows and trading for a rich 27 times trailing earnings, I just don't see a lot of room for error in the stock's valuation today. My advice would be to wait for a pullback and buy only after the margin of safety looks a bit wider. Before you buy stock in Rocket Lab USA, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Rocket Lab USA wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $639,271!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $804,688!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 957% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 167% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Rich Smith has positions in Rocket Lab USA. The Motley Fool recommends Rocket Lab USA. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Rocket Lab Stock a Buy Now? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rocket Lab USA (NasdaqCM:RKLB) Partners With BlackSky For Satellite Launch Expansion
With Rocket Lab USA gearing up to launch BlackSky's second Gen-3 satellite, the company's stock surged 35% over the last month. This impressive move aligns with Rocket Lab's successful Earth return mission for Varda Space Industries and NASA's selection for the Aspera mission in 2026. Although the broader market faced downturns due to fiscal concerns, Rocket Lab's strong growth narrative in the satellite launch sector likely reinforced investor confidence. Positive events from Rocket Lab likely added a counterweight to the market's overall decline, contributing to its robust price performance despite general volatility. You should learn about the 2 possible red flags we've spotted with Rocket Lab USA. Trump's oil boom is here — pipelines are primed to profit. Discover the 22 US stocks riding the wave. The recent surge in Rocket Lab's share price aligns with positive developments in its launch services and strategic collaborations, potentially reinforcing its growth narrative. With the company's shares experiencing an extremely large return of 479.95% over the last year, its long-term performance provides a stark contrast to the broader market, which saw a 9.1% return over the past year. This highlights Rocket Lab's ability to exceed market benchmarks, emphasizing investor optimism in its expanding capabilities. Rocket Lab's news of increased launch capabilities and new product offerings, such as the Flatellite, could boost revenue and earnings forecasts. The focus on end-to-end space services and the development of the Neutron rocket for medium-class launches may drive significant revenue growth. However, execution risks and market competition remain challenges that could affect these projections. Despite recent positive price movements, Rocket Lab's current share price of US$22.4 is slightly below the consensus analyst target of US$24.6, reflecting a modest 9.0% potential upside. This suggests that while investors are optimistic, some cautiousness remains until further progress in its strategic objectives is realized. As Rocket Lab continues to track its ambitious growth plans, the market will likely remain attentive to its operational milestones and alignment with projected revenue and earnings trajectories. Review our historical performance report to gain insights into Rocket Lab USA's track record. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NasdaqCM:RKLB. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rocket Lab Wins NASA Contract: How Should an Investor Play the Stock?
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. RKLB has recently secured a major NASA contract to launch the Aspera astrophysics mission in early 2026, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in advanced space science. Aspera will explore the intergalactic medium (hot gas between galaxies) using ultraviolet light, potentially unlocking new insights into the origins of stars, planets and life itself. The mission, set to be launched aboard Rocket Lab's Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1, marks NASA's first astrophysics mission of its kind and highlights Rocket Lab's growing role in high-value, government-backed space exploration. This contract win strengthens the company's backlog count and is likely to drive long-term revenues, which may encourage investors interested in space stocks to add RKLB to their portfolio. However, a prudent investor knows that before making an important decision, such as investing in a stock, one should delve deeper into the company's performance on the bourses, growth opportunities, and investment risks (if any), rather than considering a single announcement. This way, investors can make an informed decision. Rocket Lab's shares have surged a solid 30.7% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks aerospace-defense industry's rise of 8.3%. It has also outpaced the broader Zacks Aerospace sector's rise of 5.8% as well as the S&P 500's slip of 0.1% in the same time frame. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research A similar stellar performance has been delivered by other industry players, such as Embraer ERJ and RTX Corp. RTX, whose shares have surged 27.3% and 13.5%, respectively, over the past six months. Rocket Lab has been making headlines in recent times, thanks to the steadily growing demand trend in both the commercial and government space markets. The company has made several notable announcements in recent months, highlighting its expanding role in both government and commercial space sectors. In May 2025, RKLB announced that it will launch its new medium-lift reusable rocket, Neutron, for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's Rocket Cargo mission focused on point-to-point transportation. In April, Rocket Lab was selected by Kratos to launch a full-scale hypersonic test flight for the Department of Defense under the MACH-TB 2.0 program. The same month, it introduced STARRAY — customizable next-gen solar arrays designed to meet diverse satellite power needs in any orbit. In March, Rocket Lab secured a $5.6 billion contract from the U.S. Space Force under the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program, allowing it to compete for top-priority national security launches. It also launched two advanced software suites — InterMission and MAX Constellation — to support secure, autonomous constellation operations. In February, Rocket Lab signed one of its largest Electron launch agreements with the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space. The company began 2025 by expanding its NASA partnership to include Neutron launches. It closed 2024 with a successful hypersonic tech test mission for the Department of Defense. Such a steady stream of high-profile contracts and significant launches has likely fueled investor optimism and supported RKLB's share price momentum over the past six months. The booming commercial space sector and rising global security concerns have been fueling demand for Rocket Lab's launch services and satellite solutions. Notably, the company's Electron rocket stands out as a key growth driver, enabling rapid, small-payload missions for real-time intelligence and defense applications. Looking ahead, according to a World Economic Forum report from April 2024, the space economy may reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, driven by the growing use of satellite and rocket-enabled technologies. This outlook strengthens Rocket Lab's growth prospects, with its Electron ranking as the second most frequently launched orbital rocket by U.S. companies. A quick sneak peek at its near-term estimates mirrors similar growth prospects. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's 2025 and 2026 sales suggests an improvement of 32.1% and 48.2%, respectively, year over year. Its 2025 and 2026 earnings estimates also suggest year-over-year improvement. The 2025 and 2026 bottom-line estimates reflect upward movement over the past 60 days. This indicates analysts' improving confidence in the stock's near-term earnings generation capabilities. However, the consensus estimate for RKLB's second-quarter 2025 earnings suggests a downward movement. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research While Rocket Lab offers strong growth potential, it faces key challenges that could affect its financial performance. High operating expenses, driven by investments in the Neutron rocket, Electron recovery, advanced spacecraft and component expansion, might offset revenue gains, resulting in continued losses. The company also faces risks related to delays in developing and commercializing new technologies, which could hinder monetization efforts. Additionally, labor shortages remain a significant challenge for aerospace-defense stocks like Rocket Lab, Embraer and RTX. According to the 2024 "On the Horizon" Workforce Study by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and PwC, the aerospace sector's attrition rate of 13%, well above the U.S. average, raises concerns about talent gaps. For Rocket Lab, this could lead to production delays as experienced personnel leave the workforce. In terms of valuation, RKLB's forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) is 16.77X, a premium to its industry's average of 2.05X. This suggests that investors will be paying a higher price than the company's expected sales growth compared to that of its industry. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research On the other hand, RKLB's industry peers, ERJ and RTX, are trading at a discount to the company. While Embraer's forward 12-month P/S is 1.17X, RTX is trading at a forward 12-month P/S of 2.11. To conclude, investors interested in Rocket Lab should wait for a better entry point, considering its premium valuation and downward revision in second-quarter 2025 earnings estimates, along with the challenges it is facing in terms of high operating expenses and labor shortage. However, those who already own this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company's shares may stay invested, as RKLB's upbeat sales estimates, benefits from the steadily growing space economy and solid share price performance offer long-term growth prospects. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica (ERJ) : Free Stock Analysis Report RTX Corporation (RTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
