Why it matters: The United States Air Force has denied re-entry and landing permission for Varda Space Industries, a company that has been operating a floating drug factory in space since June. Varda has been experimenting with producing HIV medication in a low-gravity environment and successfully synthesized a vial of Ritonavir crystals, a drug used to treat HIV. However, the company has faced delays in returning to Earth and has been denied permission to land in Utah. The FAA is also yet to grant a reentry license.
What they are saying: Varda has not disclosed the reasons for the delays and denials, while the Air Force cited safety concerns and impact analysis as the basis for their decision. Varda has stated that their capsule has enough resources to stay in space for longer if needed. The FAA has received a formal request for reconsideration from Varda and is currently reviewing it.
The big picture: Varda’s unique approach to drug production in a low-gravity environment offers potential benefits, such as novel form discovery and improved crystal growth rates. However, the specifics of these benefits and the advantages of producing drugs in space compared to on Earth are not fully understood.
What to watch: It remains to be seen when Varda will be able to bring its capsule back to Earth. The company is working with the Air Force and the FAA to secure permission for re-entry. The outcome of the FAA’s reconsideration request will also be significant in determining the future of Varda’s operations.
My take: While the article takes a light-hearted approach to the topic, it highlights the importance of safely bringing back the drugs produced by Varda. Further research and understanding of the benefits and feasibility of drug production in space could revolutionize pharmaceutical manufacturing. It will be interesting to see how Varda navigates the regulatory challenges and whether their success in synthesizing HIV medication paves the way for more advanced drug production in space.
