Delta Biosciences, a Lithuanian life sciences company developing medical solutions for space, will, together with the European Space Agency (ESA), launch a long-term, almost three-year mission to the International Space Station (ISS) at the beginning of next year. The goal of this mission is to confirm a hypothesis about anti-radiation drugs and radiation-resistant excipients that can extend the shelf life of medications. This will be the first commercial life sciences mission of its kind.
During the mission, data will be collected on how cosmic radiation affects the stability of molecules developed by Delta Biosciences, as well as those nominated by scientific and commercial partners. These anti-radiation molecules could protect astronauts and vital cargo during long space journeys.
“This mission strengthens Lithuania’s ambition to become a leader in high technology and innovation. Such cooperation not only creates high added value but also reinforces Lithuania’s position as an advanced state in the global market. It once again proves that investments in science, talent, and the innovation ecosystem in Lithuania are yielding real results,” says Minister of Economy and Innovation, Lukas Savickas.
A Step Beyond Current Knowledge
According to Eglė Elena Šataitė, head of Space Hub LT at Innovation Agency Lithuania , the Delta Biosciences mission is also a sign that Lithuania is strengthening its influence in the space sector and committing to scientific advancement.
“This experiment is a step forward not only for Delta Biosciences but for Lithuania as a spacefaring nation. It demonstrates that Lithuania has the scientific potential, vision, and capabilities to contribute to the most advanced space research. It also confirms that our collaboration with the European Space Agency and the consistent encouragement of industry to seek solutions for space challenges are delivering results important to the global space sector,” says Šataitė.
ESA considers this mission a particularly important step toward addressing the stability of pharmaceutical products in extreme environments. According to ESA’s Chief Research Scientist, Dr. Angelique Van Ombergen, such studies are essential for the advancement of human spaceflight. It is necessary to constantly push the boundaries of research to ensure astronaut safety and to deepen medical knowledge.
“There have been very few experiments investigating the effects of space environments on drugs. This study will provide the European Space Agency and the broader space community with new knowledge about how we can protect astronauts and extend the shelf life of medications—essential for long-duration missions beyond low Earth orbit,” says Dr. Van Ombergen.
Delta Biosciences co-founder Dominykas Milašius takes pride in this mission because it aligns with ESA’s aim to create practical scientific solutions that usher in a new era of human exploration.
“Medicines are developed for conditions on Earth – but the usual rules do not apply in space. Radiation, extreme temperatures, and the lack of resupply opportunities pose new challenges for pharmaceuticals. Therefore, we are developing space medicine based on first principles. The space environment provides a unique opportunity to test radiation resistance and long-term efficacy of drugs. The results of the mission will not only benefit astronauts but also cancer patients, emergency response teams, and people in hard-to-reach locations on Earth,” shares Milašius.
Challenge: Replacing Expired Medications During Long Missions Will Be Impossible
One of the biggest challenges in human space exploration is radiation exposure. Unlike on Earth, where the atmosphere and magnetic field protect us, astronauts in low Earth orbit and beyond are constantly exposed to galactic cosmic rays and solar particle events. These high-energy particles not only pose health risks, increasing the chances of cancer and other diseases, but they also degrade medicines meant to offer protection—sometimes even producing toxic substances previously unrecorded on Earth.
“Space is a harsh environment, and as we prepare for deep space exploration, we must ensure that essential medications remain effective and safe,” says ESA’s Head of Biology Research, Dr. Christiane Hahn. “This experiment will provide crucial data on how drugs break down under cosmic radiation, helping to create protective measures to maintain astronaut health during long-term missions.”
From Laboratory to Orbit: The Future of Medicines in Deep Space Missions
During the experiment, thirty carefully selected molecules will be tested in two different locations aboard the ISS, each with distinct radiation levels. The samples will be returned to Earth every eight months and compared with control samples. In this way, unique molecular degradation profiles under real space conditions will be created.
Drugs with anti-radiation effects are a vital tool in reducing radiation damage, but their long-term stability in space remains little studied.
“We are sending a variety of active substances into the long-term ISS experiment to study how they change under real cosmic radiation. The collected data will help us validate our protective measures and guide the development of other drugs designed for extreme conditions, including remote areas on Earth. Due to the significance of this research, we are inviting renowned radiation and space medicine scientists from Europe, the USA, and Japan to participate,” says Milašius.
While intensive preparations for the experiment are underway, Delta Biosciences and its partners are ensuring that every step—from molecule selection to data analysis—is geared toward achieving the highest-quality results. By studying how radiation affects key medications, the team is taking a critical step toward safer space exploration—and opening the door to innovations in space chemistry that can be applied here on Earth.
This report was prepared using information provided by the Innovation Agency of Lithuania.
