Space infrastructure company Redwire Corporation has secured a contract from Aspera Biomedicines to carry out space-based research on a cancer treatment.
Utilising Redwire’s 色界吧 In-space Laboratory (PIL-BOX) technology, this initiative aims to progress the development of the small-molecule adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 inhibitor, rebecsinib, which has recently received US Food and Drug Administration approval for first-in-human trials.
ADAR1 protein expression is associated with the rapid progression of certain cancers.
Aspera’s previous spaceflight experiments have indicated that rebecsinib could serve as a potential “kill switch” for cancer by stopping the spread of cancer stem cells in triple-negative breast cancer organoid models.
The latest mission will enable Aspera’s researchers to examine the crystal structure of ADAR1p150 in the presence and absence of rebecsinib or intermediates.
Insights from this could be pivotal in developing new drug formulations and expanding the range of ADAR1 inhibitors.
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By GlobalDataThis cancer treatment investigation is scheduled for launch later in 2025.
The PIL-BOX platform, with 28 units flown and processed, has been instrumental in growing small-batch crystals for protein-based pharmaceuticals and other molecules of pharmaceutical relevance.
Previous research into this technology carried out in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Butler University Indiana and ExesaLibero Pharma has provided insights into treatments of cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and obesity.
With support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Aspera is the first to develop an FDA investigational new drug (IND)-approved small molecule inhibitor of ADAR1 splicing. This inhibitor has potential implications for preventing recurrence and immune evasion across 20 different cancers.
Leveraging microgravity to expedite tumour growth, Aspera’s collaboration with NASA, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space and Axiom Space aims to test the expanded tumour indications for rebecsinib in patient-derived tumour organoids to tackle cancer deaths.
