Latest news with #PIL-BOX
Business Wire
04-08-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Redwire Launches New Venture Company, SpaceMD, to Commercialize Pharmaceutical Development in Space; Signs Trailblazing Royalty Agreement with ExesaLibero Pharma
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a global leader in space and defense technology solutions, today announced that it has formed a new entity, SpaceMD, which will focus on growing seed crystals in orbit that will be used on Earth to create new and reformulated pharmaceuticals. SpaceMD will take advantage of the unique microgravity environment in space through the use of Redwire's innovative and flight-proven Pharmaceutical In-Space Laboratory (PIL-BOX) technology to grow the seed crystals. 28 PIL-BOX systems have already flown in space and have successfully crystalized 17 compounds on the ISS, including insulin and other critical molecules. SpaceMD will sell or license these seed crystals to companies that can use them to create reformulated versions of existing drugs or entirely new therapeutics. As part of this launch, SpaceMD announced a trailblazing licensing agreement with ExesaLibero Pharma, Inc., an innovative pharmaceutical company developing new small molecule drugs to treat bone disease. Under the terms of the agreement, ExesaLibero Pharma will work with SpaceMD to advance and enhance its groundbreaking small-molecule drug ELP-004 and other relevant compounds via the PIL-BOX system. This drug could hold the key to controlling the insidious bone erosion that numerous debilitating diseases cause, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple myeloma, diabetes, periodontal disease, and tuberculosis. The results of these microgravity investigations will inform ExesaLibero Pharma's Investigative New Drug (IND) application to the Food and Drug Agency (FDA). Following the approval of the IND by the FDA, ExesaLibero Pharma expects to initiate clinical trials that will lead to full approval of the drug for clinical use. Through this first-of-its-kind agreement, SpaceMD will receive royalties from any commercial sales of resulting pharmaceutical products. 'Redwire is excited to announce the formation of SpaceMD. This new entity represents the evolution of our PIL-BOXstrategy, moving from experimentation to full commercialization with significant upstream revenue potential,' said Peter Cannito, Chairman and CEO of Redwire. 'This agreement with ExesaLibero Pharma signals a revolutionary paradigm shift for commercial utilization of microgravity. Redwire and now SpaceMD are translating the benefits of microgravity research into product value for pharmaceutical companies with the goal of transforming the future of therapeutics and creating value for our stakeholders.' 'We have seen firsthand how the microgravity environment can be a game-changer for drug development, and we look forward to expanding our work with SpaceMD through this exciting collaboration,' said John Barnett, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at ExesaLibero. 'This collaboration will help us continue to advance our drug development and discovery process and lead to better outcomes for patients and future astronauts.' Redwire is a global leader in microgravity research and development technologies, having flown hundreds of experiments on both the Space Shuttle and the ISS. Redwire currently has eleven research and manufacturing facilities on the ISS, more than any other company in the world. Redwire's microgravity technology enables space biotechnology and pharmaceutical development, helping customers reach a commercial market and paving the way for microgravity research on future commercial space stations. Previous investigations conducted by Redwire have been with partners such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, and Butler University. These efforts focused on unlocking insights to improve treatments for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. About Redwire Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is an integrated space and defense tech company focused on advanced technologies. We are building the future of aerospace infrastructure, autonomous systems and multi-domain operations leveraging digital engineering and AI automation. Redwire's approximately 1,300 employees located throughout the United States and Europe are committed to delivering innovative space and airborne platforms transforming the future of multi-domain operations. For more information, please visit About SpaceMD SpaceMD is a subsidiary of Redwire Corporation focused on leveraging the microgravity environment of space to create new advances in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and other fields. SpaceMD utilizes innovative, flight-proven Redwire hardware to conduct this potentially life-enhancing work. SpaceMD uses the unique nature of space to benefit life on Earth.
Business Wire
03-06-2025
- 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
03-06-2025
- 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
Business Wire
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Redwire Chief Scientist Dr. Kenneth Savin Named to TIME's 2025 TIME100 Health List of the 100 Most Influential People in Global Health
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW), a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, announced today that Dr. Kenneth Savin, Redwire Chief Scientist, has been named to this year's TIME100 Health, a list of the 100 most influential people in global health. The prestigious recognition honors individuals making groundbreaking contributions to the future of health and medicine. Dr. Savin was selected for his deep expertise in the pharmaceutical industry and his pioneering work accelerating cutting-edge space biotech research capabilities, which leverage microgravity to improve human health on Earth. At Redwire, Dr. Savin has overseen trailblazing investigations onboard the International Space Station (ISS) in partnership with NASA and the ISS National Laboratory. Redwire successfully bioprinted the first human knee meniscus and first live human cardiac tissue using its BioFabrication Facility on the ISS. These breakthroughs address challenges faced by millions of people worldwide through the application of organ transplantation and tissue therapy and advance the next generation of pharmaceutical therapies. Dr. Savin has coordinated groundbreaking protein crystallization investigations onboard the ISS with pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) and Bristol Myers Squibb using Redwire's in-space pharmaceutical lab, PIL-BOX, for improved drug development. These investigations have focused on various applications to address the world's most prevalent conditions, including antiviral, antifungal, and antiseizure applications, heart disease, and bone loss. 'I am deeply honored to be recognized as one of the TIME100's most influential figures in health for 2025,' said Dr. Savin. 'Through microgravity research and development, we are seeing extraordinary scientific achievements that are accelerating game changing biomedical breakthroughs not possible on Earth and with enormous potential for the future of human health. I am honored and proud to be part of the Redwire team and excited to see what we are able to accomplish next." Before joining Redwire, Dr. Savin had a successful 20-year career in the pharmaceutical industry working at Lilly, where he led various research and development teams, along with five investigations onboard the ISS. Following his time at Lilly, Dr. Savin was the Senior Director of In-Space Production Applications at the Center for the Advancement of Science In Space (manager of the ISS National Lab), where he worked with NASA to develop the In Space Production and Applications program to develop products in space that will benefit life on the Earth. The full TIME100 Health list can be found here. 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
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Redwire Expands In-Space Drug Development Program, Launches New PIL-BOX Technology and Cancer-Detection Experiment
Creating symmetrical, same-size gold nanospheres in microgravity that could accelerate speed and accuracy of blood tests for cancer, other diseases JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 21, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a leader in space infrastructure for the next-generation space economy, announced today that it has launched a new drug development technology and a cancer-detection experiment to the International Space Station (ISS) as the company scales its in-space pharmaceutical drug development program based on the success of its PIL-BOX platform. To complement the existing PIL-BOX platform, Redwire is launching a high-volume Industrial Crystallizer that is capable of processing samples that are up to 200x the volume of what could previously be processed in the original PIL-BOX technology. The goal is to translate the insights gained from the PIL-BOX investigations into large-scale production for commercial applications. This Industrial Crystallizer technology could provide a roadmap to commercializing the fabrication of materials on the ISS for real world applications on the ground. To validate this new hardware, Redwire is launching a first-of-its-kind experiment called Golden Balls, which will attempt to produce gold nanospheres in space for the first time ever. Gold nanoparticles are currently being explored by researchers as a cancer therapeutic due to their unique properties and they have been used as a biomedical testing tool for early detection of cancer and other diseases. "Gold nanospheres could lead to early testing and diagnosis of cancer and other diseases, targeted drug delivery, and enhanced radiation and photothermal therapy, offering a promising approach to cancer management," said John Vellinger, Redwire's President of In-Space Industries. "Producing golden nanospheres in space is expected to yield both tighter size distributions and larger gold nanospheres without compromising surface structure and ultimately producing spheres of higher quality." The Industrial Crystallizer and Golden Balls experiment launched on board SpaceX's 32nd commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 21st. 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 View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Tere OR Investors: investorrelations@ 904-425-1431 Sign in to access your portfolio
