Will Bruey envisions a future where spacecraft carrying pharmaceuticals manufactured in space will be a common sight. He predicts that within a decade, multiple specialized spacecraft will be visible in the night sky, delivering drugs to Earth. Bruey, the CEO of Varda Space Industries, believes that within 15 to 20 years, it will be more cost-effective to send an employee to orbit for a month than to keep them on Earth.
Having witnessed ambitious projects unfold during his time at SpaceX, Bruey is confident in the feasibility of these scenarios. Reflecting on SpaceX’s achievements with reusable rockets, he draws parallels to the futuristic vision of pharmaceutical manufacturing in space.
Varda Space Industries has already made strides in this direction. The company successfully brought back crystals of ritonavir, an HIV medication, from orbit in 2024. By leveraging the unique conditions of microgravity, Varda aims to produce high-quality crystals with improved properties for pharmaceutical applications.
The process of manufacturing pharmaceuticals in space may take weeks or months, but the potential benefits in terms of stability and purity are significant. Varda’s capsules, designed for reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, are a key component of this innovative approach.
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Bruey emphasizes that Varda’s focus is not just on space exploration but on utilizing space as an industry. By expanding the capabilities of existing drugs through novel manufacturing methods, Varda aims to create a new paradigm in pharmaceutical development.
The company’s approach has been validated by previous experiments conducted on the International Space Station by other pharmaceutical companies. Varda’s goal is to commercialize and scale up the process to meet the demands of the pharmaceutical industry.
The evolution of space launch services and the availability of off-the-shelf satellite buses have enabled Varda to pursue its ambitious goals. By partnering with companies like Rocket Lab, Varda can integrate its pharmaceutical manufacturing capsules into existing spacecraft, paving the way for regular space missions.
The “seven domino” theory
Bruey’s vision for Varda revolves around what he calls the “seven domino theory.” From reusable rockets to clinical trials for space-manufactured drugs, each step in the process contributes to a self-sustaining cycle of innovation and growth.
Unlike traditional satellite companies, Varda’s business model requires continuous manufacturing runs and launches to meet the demand for pharmaceutical products. This unique approach holds the potential to drive down launch costs and make space more accessible for a variety of industries.
As Varda continues to expand its capabilities and explore new markets, the company’s impact on the space industry could be transformative. By pushing the boundaries of commercial space operations, Varda is setting the stage for a new era of space-based manufacturing.
The near-death experience
Varda’s journey has not been without challenges, as Bruey recalls a near-death experience during the company’s early missions. Delays in obtaining reentry approvals led to a prolonged stay in orbit for one of Varda’s capsules, testing the team’s resolve and ingenuity.
Despite the setbacks, Varda persevered and successfully brought the capsule back to Earth, marking a significant milestone in commercial space reentry. The experience taught the company valuable lessons in regulatory compliance and operational resilience.
Today, Varda’s innovative approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing and hypersonic testing has garnered interest from investors and industry stakeholders. With a focus on expanding its capabilities and exploring new markets, Varda is poised to make a lasting impact on the space industry.
As Varda continues to push the boundaries of space-based manufacturing, the future of pharmaceuticals and space exploration may be closer than we think.
