Space BD succeeds in first launch and recovery for high-quality
protein crystal growth service
First space experiment completed aboard ISS Kibo as sole JAXA private partner

CRS-24 mission launch 🄫SpaceX

Tokyo — Space BD, a provider of general space industry services, announces that it has
succeeded in its first high-quality protein crystal growth (PCG) experiments conducted on theJapanese Experiment Module Kibo on the International Space Station (ISS). In total elevenexperiments were conducted based on contracts with four partners, including Japanese andoverseas companies and research institutions.
These experiments were also the first in the drug discovery support business and made use of theopportunity allocated for private partner experiments on Kibo. The experimental samples werelaunched by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, U.S. on
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 (EST), and after the experiments were conducted in Kibo fromThursday, December 23, samples were safely returned and recovered on Monday, January 24,
2022.
The purpose of the mission was to conduct agricultural drug discovery and novel coronavirus drug
discovery research.
AgroDesign Studios (Kashiwa, Chiba) is conducting research and development on molecularagrochemicals that directly inhibit the function of essential proteins of pests and weeds in order toincrease agrochemical safety. The use of space experiments allows for highly reliable protein
crystal structure data to be obtained and makes efficient agrochemical design possible.
The National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) (Hsinchu, Taiwan)1 crystallized
virus-like particles (VLPs) generated from E. coli in space, and X-ray analysis will be used to reveal
the structure of the virus and the mechanism of infection.
The Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio) / Brazilian Center for Research in Energy
and Material (CNPEM) (Sao Paulo, Brazil)2 aims to understand the three-dimensional structure ofthe N proteins that make up the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by crystalizing those proteins in themicrogravity environment of space and using X-ray diffraction.

1This agreement is a collaborative effort with HelioX Cosmos, our channel partner in Taiwan.
2 This agreement is a collaborative effort with Airvantis, our channel partner in Brazil.

More information: Space BD signed the first contract for 13 space experiments of the high-quality
protein crystal growth service with international 3 organizations (December 2, 2021)

Protein crystals of amylase produced in the ISS©JAXA/Maruwa Foods and Biosciences

A container floating in the microgravity environment©JAXA/NASA◼ JAXA's sole private sector partner in the protein crystal growth project
JAXA has conducted high-quality protein crystal growth experiments in Kibo onboard the ISS forover ten years, and by developing and providing Japan's original crystallization technology has
produced various results leading to the design of new drugs. Amidst this, JAXA has been promoting
the transfer of Kibo utilization projects to the private sector and collaboration with the private sector
under the "Kibo Utilization Strategy," and thus invited private sector partners to participate incooperation with JAXA. Space BD was selected as a partner on March 22, 2021, and a basic
agreement between Space BD and JAXA was signed on May 6, 2021.
As the sole private sector partner selected by JAXA, Space BD will continue to provide flexible
space experiment opportunities that meet the needs of users on a regular basis until 2024.
◼ Life Sciences at Space BD
Building on this first set of space drug discovery experiments in Kibo on the ISS with these threecompanies, Space BD will focus on accumulating technology and know-how related to space
utilization in general and creating a system to lower the hurdle for space utilization. In the future,
Space BD will continue to take on the challenge of becoming a space business development firm,
providing not only protein research, including drug discovery, but also R&D support in all areas oflife science, including cells, tissues, and humans in space, as well as equipment development
support for such R&D.
■ContactSpace BD Inc.
Business Development Life-science R&D Project, Shuji Yamazaki
Mail: info@space-bd.com
TEL: 03-6264-7177

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