Biotechnology Sector.

Plastron have personnel with specific Biotech expertise to discuss the services we offer, ranging from the provision of initial consultancy and feasibility studies to a complete turnkey CRO package.

Microgravity environments can provide unique biological insights and new R&D advantages that directly benefit biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

Detailed below are some examples:

Protein Crystallization & Structural Biology

• Why it matters: In microgravity, convection and sedimentation are greatly reduced. This allows protein crystals to grow more uniformly and with fewer defects.
• Benefit: Higher-quality crystals → better X-ray diffraction data → more accurate protein structures → better structure-based drug design.
• Example: Companies like Merck, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi have sent proteins to the ISS to improve crystallization for cancer and diabetes drugs.

Cell Culture & Tissue Engineering

• Why it matters: Cells in microgravity experience near-weightlessness, which allows them to grow in 3D structures (instead of flat monolayers on plastic).
• Benefit: More physiologically relevant 3D cell models, improving studies of cancer, stem cells, and tissue regeneration.
• Example: Emulate, Inc. and Space Tango have used orbital bioreactors to study organoids and stem-cell differentiation.

Accelerated Aging and Stress Models

• Why it matters: Microgravity, radiation, and confinement mimic accelerated aging and stress responses in living systems.
• Benefit: Enables faster testing of anti-aging drugs, muscle/bone loss treatments, and immune system therapies.
• Example: Studies on astronaut muscle atrophy inform osteoporosis and sarcopenia drug development.

Drug Formulation & Stability Testing

• Why it matters: Fluid dynamics in microgravity change how molecules aggregate and crystallize.
• Benefit: Enables testing new formulations, nanoparticles, and delivery systems that might behave differently under Earth gravity.
• Example: Some companies use microgravity to study protein aggregation, relevant to Alzheimer's and biologic drug stability.

Microbial & Genetic Studies

• Why it matters: Bacteria and fungi behave differently in microgravity — some become more virulent or resistant, others weaken.
• Benefit: Identifies new antibiotic targets, stress-response genes, and microbial adaptation pathways.
• Example: NASA's experiments with Salmonella and E. coli revealed new genetic regulators of virulence and stress tolerance.

Manufacturing of Biopharmaceuticals

• Why it matters: Microgravity can produce purity and uniformity in bioprocesses (like crystal growth or fiber production) not achievable on Earth.
• Benefit: Could eventually lead to space-based biomanufacturing — for biologics, vaccines, or even tissue grafts.
• Example: Startups like Redwire Space and Varda Space Industries are exploring orbital biomanufacturing facilities.

Marketing and Innovation Differentiation

• Why it matters: Collaborating with space agencies or performing "space-tested" biotech R&D signals cutting-edge innovation.
• Benefit: Enhances brand value, attracts investors, and demonstrates R&D leadership in frontier science.