WSI: "IntroBioPharma Signs Agreement with Korea Aerospace University to Develop Space Medicine Payload"

On November 27, WSI subsidiary IntroBioPharma announced that it has signed an agreement with Korea Aerospace University to jointly develop payload (experimental equipment) technology for space medicine.

This agreement is part of the Gyeonggi Regional Innovation-led University Support System (RISE) project, with the first-year research phase running from November 1 of this year to February 28 of next year. Professors Kim Byungkyu and Oh Hyunwoong from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Korea Aerospace University are participating in this research.

The goal of the research is to develop a payload that can reproduce a microgravity environment and be used for drug development. The research team plans to manufacture solid dispersions of poorly soluble drugs suitable for microgravity, and analyze their solubility and homogeneity to establish the basis for next-generation drug solubilization technology.

The researchers will review prior studies from global space agencies such as NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to analyze space environment requirements and secure payload design technology that ensures structural and thermal stability during launch and in-orbit conditions.

A representative from IntroBioPharma stated, "This is our first research project to apply our pharmaceutical manufacturing technology to the space environment," adding, "It will serve as an opportunity to confirm the potential for entering the new business field of space medicine."

According to the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), the global space medicine market is expected to grow from 770 million dollars (1.2 trillion won) in 2023 to 1.6 billion dollars (2.3 trillion won) by 2030.

Meanwhile, IntroBioPharma is a pharmaceutical manufacturing specialist with 126 product approvals, operating a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business based on its advanced manufacturing facilities and formulation development capabilities.