Plastron Group and Starlab Space Enter Agreement
Plastron will provide end-to-end life sciences services supporting protein crystallization, organoid development and pharmaceutical research in low Earth orbit
We are delighted to enclose a press release issued by Starlab Space LLC relating to an agreement between us. Instead of re-inventing the wheel - we have lifted the release from their site and pasted it below:
Plastron will provide end-to-end life sciences services supporting protein crystallization, organoid development and pharmaceutical research in low Earth orbit
HOUSTON – April 21, 2026 – Starlab Space LLC, a commercial space station developer, today announced an agreement with Plastron Group, a contract research organization focused on enabling end-to-end life sciences research and manufacturing in microgravity in the UK and Europe at large. Through the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on expanding access to microgravity-enabled biotechnology and pharmaceutical research as the commercial space industry transitions beyond the International Space Station.
Under the agreement, Plastron will deliver a comprehensive microgravity service model for biotech and pharmaceutical customers, supporting research and manufacturing workflows from ground to orbit and back. The company’s approach integrates experiment design, payload handling and post-flight analysis into a seamless process, ensuring continuity and quality across every stage of the mission.
Plastron’s service model is supported by its mobile laboratory system, which manages and protects biological payloads across the mission lifecycle. Designed to maintain strict environmental controls, the system protects against contamination, manages air quality and minimizes vibration, supporting pharmaceutical research aligned with Good Manufacturing & Distribution Practices (GMP & GDP) requirements.
“PlastronCRO, our Contract Research Organization dedicated to R&D in microgravity, is a highly-skilled leading broker and delivery expert for end-to-end microgravity life science programs,” said Charlie Young, Product Director of Plastron Group. “Starlab’s support will integrate effectively with our specialist BIOCONOPs service, enabling us to deliver a realistic and viable research and microgravity manufacturing platform for our customers in the UK and internationally.”
“Plastron brings operational depth to life sciences in microgravity, an end-to-end process built to meet the regulatory standards that biopharma customers require.” Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab, said. “Combined with their established network in the UK, this agreement creates a direct path for that market to access Starlab’s capabilities as the transition from ISS accelerates.”
The announcement builds on Starlab’s growing life sciences ecosystem, where microgravity creates conditions that reveal new insights into medicines, materials and biological systems. By enabling controlled experimentation in low Earth orbit, researchers can evaluate performance limits, refine formulations and advance product development pathways that may be difficult to replicate on Earth.
Starlab’s market-driven business model is designed to reduce cost, complexity and risk for researchers and commercial partners. Its single-launch, no-assembly-required architecture enables full certification and operational readiness within weeks from launch, minimizing delays and maximising efficiency for payload customers. Through its joint venture partners, customers can conduct research aboard the International Space Station today, ensuring a seamless transition to Starlab as its next-generation capabilities come online.
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About Starlab
Starlab Space is a U.S.-led, global joint venture among Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG), Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies and Space Applications Services, with strategic partners including Hilton, Journey, Northrop Grumman and The Ohio State University. Starlab is developing a next-generation, AI-enabled commercial space station, aiming to ensure continued human presence in low-Earth orbit and a seamless transition of microgravity science and research alongside the retirement of the International Space Station. Starlab’s advanced, user-driven design and robust capabilities make it a premier platform for scientific discovery and technological advancement in space. For more information, visit starlab-space.com.