Space station partnership for bioprinting research

Starlab Space has announced a partnership with Auxilium Biotechnologies to advance 3D bioprinting in orbit.

Auxilium will provide orbital 3D bioprinting and biofabrication capabilities (manufacturing biological materials) aboard the Starlab space station to support research and development in regenerative medicine, implantable medical devices and tissue engineering.

Regenerative medicine uses the body’s own materials to repair damage or replace diseased tissue.

Auxilium’s proprietary AMP-1 3D bioprinter has demonstrated the mass production of implantable medical devices and other complex structures, such as perfusable blood vessels, in microgravity, the very low gravity environment in space, aboard the International Space Station.

In November 2024, Auxilium created tiny, functional blood vessels aboard the International Space Station using its AMP-1 platform.

These vessels, with wall thicknesses about the width of a human hair, were produced in under an hour, which is not possible on Earth, where the process requires more time, materials and complex steps.

With Starlab, Auxilium aims to accelerate translation from experimental biology to manufacturable products, positioning AMP-1 as what it describes as a production facility for the next generation of life science technologies in space.

“3D printing in microgravity enables tissue architectures and material properties not achievable under standard 1g manufacturing,” said Isac Lazarovits, director of engineering at Auxilium.

“This biomanufacturing facility on board the future Starlab space station will expand access to low Earth orbit, lower barriers for industry and academia, and enable high-impact research and manufacturing that will benefit Earth.”

Microgravity enables enhanced protein crystallisation for drug development, 3D cell growth and disease modelling that aims to better replicate human biology, and stem cell research with potential applications for treating conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Stem cells are cells that can develop into different cell types.

“This partnership demonstrates Starlab’s commitment to fostering innovation in life sciences,” said Marshall Smith, chief executive of Starlab.

“By providing companies like Auxilium with the infrastructure to advance biomanufacturing in microgravity, we’re creating pathways for breakthrough therapies that will improve lives on Earth.”

Starlab’s design enables full certification and operation within weeks, according to the company, which says this minimises delays and maximises efficiency for payload customers.

Through joint venture partners, customers can conduct research on the International Space Station, with the aim of ensuring a seamless transition to Starlab for future work.

Starlab Space is a US-led global joint venture among Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies and Space Applications Services, with strategic partners including Hilton, Journey, Northrop Grumman and The Ohio State University.

Auxilium Biotechnologies develops bioprinting and biomanufacturing solutions and implantable medical devices.