LambdaVision Secures NASA Phase 2 InSPA Award to Advance Manufacturing Efforts in Low-Earth Orbit

Funding will support continued development of protein-based artificial retina manufacturing

WOODBRIDGE, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LambdaVision, an innovative biotech company developing a protein-based artificial retina to help patients regain sight lost to retinal degenerative diseases, has been awarded a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Phase 2 In Space Production Applications (InSPA) award. This NASA award will enable LambdaVision to further develop layer-by-layer manufacturing processes to support artificial retina production, while improving quality, scale, and GMP manufacturing practices in terrestrial and low-Earth orbit (LEO) environments. These efforts will move LambdaVision closer to IND-enabling studies on Earth, which will be followed by clinical trials for patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

“We are grateful that NASA continues to recognize the promise and impact of developing our artificial retina on the International Space Station, with the goal of not only offering much-needed benefit for patients with retinal degenerative diseases here on Earth, but also laying the groundwork for other potential commercial efforts to manufacture therapies using a LEO platform,” said Nicole Wagner, Ph.D., CEO of LambdaVision. “Our hope is that our layer-by-layer technology will help inspire new research and commercial product development to help build a thriving LEO economy.”

LambdaVision leverages microgravity to improve the layer-by-layer production process of their artificial retina through alternating layers of the protein bacteriorhodopsin and a polymer, supported by a membrane of a synthetic fiber that has long been used by the medical community. By using proteins similar to the visual pigment rhodopsin naturally found in our eyes, LambdaVision’s protein-based artificial retina mimics the light-absorbing properties of human photoreceptors replacing the function of these damaged cells in the retinas of blind patients. The microgravity environment on the International Space Station (ISS) and other LEO destinations can improve homogeneity, stability, and performance of thin films like the protein-based artificial retina.

The InSPA program supports U.S. companies working to advance the commercial production of high-value materials and products in LEO. Through InSPA awards, NASA helps selected companies increase the technological readiness of their innovations and transition them toward market adoption. The InSPA Phase 2 grant will enable LambdaVision to focus on development, demonstration, and production of their protein-based artificial retina, which is slated to be the first protein-based artificial retina and aims to restore vision for patients who are blind or have lost significant sight due to RP and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). LambdaVision currently optimizes assembly of their artificial retina in LEO on the ISS, and NASA’s InSPA award will aid in LambdaVision’s implementation strategy to continue the development of advanced high production quality and ultimately achieve scalability in commercial low-Earth orbit.

“This is among the first Phase 2 InSPA awards to be granted, marking an important milestone not only for LambdaVision but for the broader goals of NASA’s efforts to stimulate the development of a robust LEO economy where U.S. industry leads the world in harnessing microgravity for the benefit of millions of people on Earth,” said Kevin Engelbert, InSPA portfolio manager. “LambdaVision’s work exemplifies the transformative potential of manufacturing in microgravity to develop high-value, high-impact products that address critical human health challenges. With this award, LambdaVision will be able to further develop layer-by-layer manufacturing processes to support artificial retina production.”

LambdaVision secured seed investment, which was led by Aurelia Foundry with participation from Boryung and E2MC. With this funding round, the company continues to further validate their innovative space-based manufacturing to benefit those on Earth. Additionally, LambdaVision is currently funded by a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II award, which focuses leveraging new hardware capabilities to improve scale, quality, and production costs.

To date, LambdaVision has secured greater than $18.0 million in funding and launched 9 missions to the ISS. NASA and the ISS National Lab have contributed ~$12 million in non-dilutive funding. LambdaVision has previously received funds from NASA including SBIR and InSPA commercialization awards, as well as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), among others.

About LambdaVision
LambdaVision is leveraging space to develop a protein-based artificial retina to restore meaningful vision for the millions of patients blinded by retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The patent-protected artificial retina technology developed by LambdaVision uses photoactive proteins to naturally mimic the light-absorbing properties of human photoreceptor cells and activate neuroreceptors still present in degenerated retinas of blind patients. LambdaVision’s artificial retina is one of the first technologies being evaluated on the International Space Station that has potential for clinical use, and the established microgravity manufacturing processes, quality control methods, and laboratory techniques provide a foundation for future clinical research in space. To learn more, visit lambdavision.com.

About In Space Production Applications (InSPA)
NASA’s In Space Production Applications (InSPA) portfolio supports U.S. companies working to advance the commercial production of high-value materials and products in LEO. Through InSPA awards, NASA helps selected companies increase the technological readiness of their innovations and transition them toward market adoption. The portfolio plays a critical role in building a sustainable and scalable space economy by fostering non-NASA demand for commercial LEO destinations and services. In doing so, InSPA supports NASA’s broader goals of reducing reliance on NASA funding for future Commercial LEO Destinations, enabling scientific and technological progress, and driving economic growth through high-quality job creation and improved quality of life on Earth.