The Business of Biofabrication

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 30, 2024) – Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a leading innovator in space infrastructure, announced a pioneering experiment set for launch to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission aims to study the effects of microgravity on tissue bioprinting and culturing, in collaboration with the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM).

Redwire will utilize its Multi-Use Variable-Gravity Platform on the ISS to culture 36 bioprinted vascularized liver tissue constructs. The primary goal is to determine if liver cells, bioprinted on Earth, can form functional blood vessels in the microgravity environment of space. It’s a good thought experiment and something to observe if culturing human cells in space has value otherwise not possible on earth.

Over the past year, Redwire has achieved substantial advancements in space biotechnology, including the successful bioprinting of a human knee meniscus and heart tissue samples in space. This upcoming experiment reinforces Redwire’s dedication to enhancing space bioprinting techniques with human tissue samples.

In addition to the bioprinting project, Redwire will launch four drug manufacturing experiments using its Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory Bio-crystal Optimization eXperiment (PIL-BOX) system. This mission marks the third PIL-BOX spaceflight in the past 10 months, aiming to optimize system performance and demonstrate repeatability.

“Redwire is building tremendous momentum with our space biotech capabilities as we engage with new customers and partners to identify critical targets for breakthrough research and increase throughput of bioprinting and drug manufacturing experiments using our space-based suite of hardware,” said John Vellinger, President of In-Space Industries at Redwire. “We are grateful for our strong partnership with Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine along with crucial support from the ISS National Lab and NASA. We’re eager to build on our recent trailblazing results and further validate our microgravity research and manufacturing capabilities that could one day translate to life-saving medical products and drugs.”

The WFIRM liver tissue experiment is supported by the ISS National Laboratory as part of NASA’s Vascular Tissue Challenge. Redwire plans to continue launching PIL-BOX investigations on future commercial resupply missions. Prior experiments have produced high-quality uniform crystals with potential antiviral and antifungal applications.

The upcoming experiments are scheduled to launch to the ISS aboard the Northrop Grumman NG-21 cargo resupply mission in early August 2024.

About WFIRM

The Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is a leading institution in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, WFIRM is dedicated to the development of laboratory-grown tissues and organs and the application of these discoveries to patients. The institute’s mission encompasses basic scientific research, clinical translation, and the education of future leaders in the field. WFIRM’s groundbreaking work includes the development of more than 40 types of tissues and organs, making significant strides towards providing solutions to critical medical challenges, including organ shortages and complex tissue repair.

About Redwire

Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) is a global space infrastructure and innovation company supporting civil, commercial, and national security programs. With proven capabilities in avionics, sensors, power solutions, critical structures, mechanisms, radio frequency systems, platforms, missions, and microgravity payloads, Redwire blends decades of flight heritage with an agile and innovative culture. Redwire’s approximately 700 employees, working from 14 facilities across the United States and Europe, are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of discovery and science in space while creating a better world on Earth. For more information, visit redwirespace.com.