From Orbit to Pharmacy: Varda Raises $187M to Make Medicines in Space
Varda Space Industries is pushing the boundaries of pharmaceutical innovation—beyond Earth. Founded in 2020 and based in El Segundo, California, the startup is on a mission to manufacture high-performance drugs in space. By launching unmanned capsules into low Earth orbit, Varda harnesses microgravity to grow crystal structures that aren’t possible on Earth—potentially leading to more effective treatments.
In 2023, Varda successfully crystallized ritonavir, an HIV drug known for its manufacturing difficulties, proving that orbital drug production can be a reality. Since then, the company has completed three missions, with a fourth currently in orbit. Beyond pharmaceuticals, its reentry capsules double as hypersonic testbeds—reaching speeds near Mach 25—used to trial technologies like heat shields and navigation systems.
On July 10, the company announced a $187 million Series C funding round, bringing total capital raised to $329 million. The new funds will support an increased launch cadence, the expansion of lab infrastructure—including a new facility in El Segundo and a site in Huntsville, Alabama—and scaling of biologics production, including monoclonal antibodies.
Varda’s mission is ambitious: to unlock the potential of microgravity drug development and lay the foundation for an orbital manufacturing economy. With growing investor confidence, operational momentum, and proven results, the company is positioning itself at the crossroads of biotech and space—transforming how the next generation of medicines might be made.
Source:
A.M.
