Volume 10, Number 4 • July/August 2002 • Technology Transfer

Expanding Biotech Cooperation in Space

NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) president Carl B. Feldbaum signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation between NASA and the biotechnology industry.

“NASA currently supports cutting-edge basic and commercial biotechnology research and development,” said O’Keefe. “We recognize the importance of biotechnology as an expanding industry with increasing significance for healthcare, agriculture, our economy and space exploration. This partnership helps NASA further the commercial use of space.”

Citing NASA’s participation at BIO conferences and meetings, Feldbaum said, “This agreement underscores the existing convergence of space technology and biotechnology. We’ve already seen biotech research underway in space. This agreement will promote investment by the biotechnology industry in commercial space development for the benefit of patients, consumers and our economy.”

The memorandum builds on an already strong partnership by establishing three goals of collaboration–enhanced communication between NASA and industry; expanded commercial biotechnology space research and development; and formal and informal education of industry and the public regarding biotechnology and space research.

Biotechnology research already plays an important role in space. On Space Shuttle Endeavour’s last trip to the International Space Station (ISS), a biotechnology company’s experiment that will compare human liver cell function in space with that on Earth was transported. This research could aid in the development of treatments for those in need of liver transplants.

NASA will utilize space as a laboratory to test the fundamental principles of chemistry and biology, and BIO will provide the industry support needed to maximize both the research and potential commercial opportunities.

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 US states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. Q

For more information, contact Barry Epstein at NASA Headquarters, phone: 202/358-4434, bepstein@hq.nasa.gov. Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

NASA Official: Jonathan Root • Web Design: Printing & Design Office, NASA Headquarters • Credits