Microgravity pharmaceutical processing
Varda grows drug crystals in weightlessness inside its capsules, aiming for crystal forms that are hard or impossible to make on Earth.
Why it matters
Varda says microgravity suppresses convection and settling, so crystals come out more uniform. That can help drug makers improve shelf life and absorption and create new patentable forms of existing drugs.
How the technology works
A small processing unit inside the capsule runs crystallization while in orbit. The capsule returns the samples to Earth, where partners analyze them.
Varda's first mission grew crystals of ritonavir, an HIV drug.
Sources
Updated Oct 21, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction