Episode 154
152. Crystals in the Cosmos: Varda Rewrites Drug Formulation in Microgravity
In this episode, we explore how Varda Space Industries is pioneering pharmaceutical manufacturing in microgravity with Chief Strategy Officer Michael Riley and Chief Science Officer Adrian Radocea. The team discusses how removing gravity from the crystallization process enables better drug…
Show notes
In this episode, we explore how Varda Space Industries is pioneering pharmaceutical manufacturing in microgravity with Chief Strategy Officer Michael Riley and Chief Science Officer Adrian Radocea. The team discusses how removing gravity from the crystallization process enables better drug formulations—creating more stable, bioavailable medicines that don't require refrigeration. From their reusable spacecraft that can manufacture drugs in orbit and return them to Earth, to their vision of making space-based manufacturing routine and "boring," Varda is bridging aerospace engineering and biopharma to solve formulation challenges that have stumped the industry for decades. With $187 million in recent funding and spacecraft currently in orbit, they're transforming science fiction into a manufacturing platform that could expand access to medicines globally.
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Teaser and Introduction
(00:05:00) Meet the Team: From Semiconductors and Global Health to Space Pharma
(00:08:00) Microgravity as a Manufacturing Tool: Physics Over Chemistry
(00:13:00) Which Drugs Benefit Most? Small Molecules to Antibodies
(00:15:00) Bridging Aerospace and Biopharma Cultures
(00:17:00) Current Mission: A Lab (and Soon Factory) in Space
(00:21:00) Surprising Gravity Effects Even at 800 RPM
(00:25:00) Making Space Manufacturing Cost-Effective
(00:29:00) The 10-Year Vision: Routine, Industrial, and "Boring"
(00:31:00) Hiring Across Aerospace and Pharma + Quick Fire Questions
Episode Links:
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
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Topics Covered:
space biotech, drug development, space research, low earth orbit, microgravity, crystallization
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About Grow Everything
Grow Everything reveals the world of biology as technology. Hosts Erum Azeez Khan and Karl Schmieder talk with the founders, scientists, and executives biologizing entire industries — biomaterials from waste, precision fermentation, cultivated food — and unpack how the bioeconomy is solving health and climate challenges. Winner of SynBioBeta's 2026 Impact Award.