Why Microgravity for Biologics?
What if your biologics could be delivered as a simple self-injection instead of an hours-long IV infusion?
On Earth, gravity drives sedimentation and convection that distort crystal growth, create heterogeneous particle sizes, and limit the concentration at which biologics remain stable in solution. In microgravity, these forces are significantly reduced, resulting in crystals forming with greater uniformity, higher purity, and more predictable particle size distributions.
This enables concentrated formulations that improve patient care, reduce clinical burden, and transform how your drug reaches patients
01 - Terrestrial Challenge
High-concentration biologics face stability, viscosity, aggregation, and delivery constraints that limit formulation options and patient convenience
02 - Microgravity experiment
Low-shear, buoyancy-free conditions can support cleaner observation of crystallization and formulation behavior
03 - Actionable Insights
Experiment outputs inform crystal form, stability strategy, delivery route, and formulation decision
04 - Patient Impact Goal
Enable easier administration, stronger shelf-life strategy, and scalable Earth-based manufacturing, moving biologics from lab discovery to patient reality
Media appearances and coverages
Featured Media
Between a Rocket & a Hard Space
ISS National Lab’s official podcast featuring Paul Reichert. Published December 17, 2025. https://issnationallab.org/space-news/new-podcast-episode-merck-paul-reichert/
Fortitude: Forging the Trillion Dollar Space Economy
Feature-length documentary exploring the emerging space economy and its commercial potential. 2024. https://www.fortitudemovie.com/
Dr. Paul Reichert: Microgravity Monoclonal Antibody Crystallization Experimentation
Presentation recorded at the Forward Research & Innovation Summit: Science & Space Edition. 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9mpVoISXwI
Podcasts & Interviews
Utilizing Microgravity to Develop Crystalline Monoclonal Antibodies for Subcutaneous Delivery
PharmaTalkRadio episode from the 2022 Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery Conference, featuring Paul Reichert.
https://theconferenceforum.org/pharmatalkradio/utilizing-microgravity-to-develop-crystalline-monoclonal-antibodies-for-subcutaneous-delivery
Articles & Features
Crystallizing Proteins in Space Helping to Identify Potential Treatments for Disease
NASA feature on how protein crystallization research aboard the International Space Station may support therapeutic discovery. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/crystallizing-proteins-in-space-helping-to-identify-potential-treatments-for-diseases/
Pharma Goes to Space
Chemical & Engineering News / American Chemical Society feature on pharmaceutical research and drug development in space. https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/drug-development/Pharma-goes-space-drug-development/100/i40
Proteins in Space: Taking Our Research to the Final Frontier
MSD story highlighting protein crystallization research in microgravity. https://www.msd.com/stories/proteins-in-space-taking-our-research-to-the-final-frontier/
Merck Research Laboratories Publishes Research Results
ISS National Lab article on Merck Research Laboratories’ publication of microgravity crystallization research results. https://issnationallab.org/iss360/merck-lab-publishes-pembrolizumab-results/
Space Station Research Could Help Merck Improve Cancer Drug Delivery
ISS National Lab / SpaceRef article on how space station research could support improved delivery of Merck’s cancer therapy. http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=54985