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Case Studies
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Modifying Drugs to Improve Utility:
P&G Uses Space to Advance Product ChemistryThe Challenge: The potential drug NELL-1 both builds bone and slows breakdown, but its administration method was prohibitive.Most osteoporosis drugs work to slow bone breakdown, not form new bone, but studies in mice have shown that NELL-1 does both. However, use of NELL-1 was possible only via injection into the mouse’s bone during surgery. To make NELL-1 more useful for human patients, it needed to be modified for systemic administration.
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Improving Cancer Drugs in Space:
Merck Crystallizes Monoclonal Antibodies to Improve Formulation, Storage and PurificationThe Challenge: Most biologic drugs are monoclonal antibodies, which are notoriously hard to crystallize on Earth. Structural studies of macromolecules help refine the design, production, administration, and storage of critical pharmaceuticals. However, many molecules
are difficult or impossible to crystallize in traditional laboratory settings. Advances in the crystallization of monoclonal antibody drugs could translate into significant improvements in quality of life for patients with cancer and autoimmune disorders.
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On-Demand Remote Sensing Data Processing in the Cloud: Three New Products Result from ISS Science
The Challenge: Data generation continues to outpace processing capabilities in the era of LEO democratization. Advances in remote sensing and satellite technology mean that “big data” is making its way into the hands of the larger community. To prepare for the wealth of information that is coming with planned sensors on the International Space Station (ISS), in low Earth orbit (LEO), and beyond, rapid innovation in computing technology is paramount.
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Improving Consumer Household Products:
P&G Uses Space to Advance Product ChemistryThe Challenge: Consumer foams and gels—such as the familiar products from Gain®, Dawn®, Tide®, Olay®, Gillette®, Pantene®, and other P&G brands—depend on the stability of complex fluids. This is particularly true for liquids or gels that contain particles of different sizes in suspension. How these “polydisperse” mixtures move and break down is poorly understood, a challenge for product manufacturers trying to create better, longer-lasting products.
