Seoul, South Korea – Korea’s burgeoning space pharmaceutical sector is accelerating following a recent successful launch of the Nuri space rocket, bolstering efforts to develop novel treatments for chronic diseases in microgravity.Several Korean companies are actively pursuing research and development in this emerging field, collaborating with international partners and deploying experimental modules to the International Space Station (ISS).
AstraZeneca has been exploring nanoparticle-based drug delivery and material development in microgravity, partnering with Redwire and utilizing the firm’s “Pill-Box” platform to advance drug development. Korean firm SpaceLynkTech recently launched its BEE-1000 cubesat aboard the Nuri rocket to investigate the crystallization of pembrolizumab in orbit. in September, the company also deployed its independently developed BEE-PC1 research module to the ISS, completing an automated protein-crystallization experiment last month. The module is designed for the growth of high-purity, highly uniform crystals in microgravity through a fully automated process.
Further collaboration is underway between launch vehicle developer Innospace, SpaceLynkTech, and Intergravity Technologies on space-based drug development. Korean drugmaker Boryung is partnering with U.S.-based Axiom Space to explore new treatments for cancer, aging-related diseases, and psychiatric disorders.
Experts anticipate a growing role for clinical pharmacists as the industry expands. A recent study published in the Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy by researchers at Gyeongsang National University highlighted unique risks to medicines in space – including cosmic radiation, microgravity, and extreme temperature fluctuations – that could impact drug stability and efficacy. The researchers emphasized the need for drug safety evaluations tailored to space conditions, optimized dosing strategies, and specialized management of drug interactions and side effects, distinguishing this work from traditional space medicine.
