First Axiom Space-Tested Aspera Biomedicines Drug Advances Toward Clinical Trials

Rebecsinib, a promising therapeutic cancer drug that targets a cancer cloning and immune evasion gene, ADAR1, was tested during Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) and 3 (Ax-3) and is slated to be tested during Axiom Mission 4. The drug has received FDA approval to enter clinical trials under active Investigational New Drug (IND) status.

Developed by Aspera Biomedicine under the leadership of Dr. Catriona Jamieson, Director of the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute (SSCI), Rebecsinib is the focus of a pioneering research collaboration between SSCI and Axiom Space. The project is advancing drug development through accelerated patient-derived tumor organoid testing aboard the International Space Station – research that is planned to continue on Axiom Station.

Rebecsinib will enable the ADAR1 splicing inhibitor to fly to orbit with the Ax-4 crew under active IND status, Dr. Jamieson remarked. “We anticipate that this monumental mission will inform the expanded development of the first ADAR1 inhibitory cancer stem cell targeting drug for a broad array of cancers.”

Microgravity provides an accelerated environment for disease modeling, and the Ax-4 mission aims to generate additional preclinical data for diverse tumor types. Axiom Space and SSCI have been collaborating since 2022 to explore the potential of microgravity to accelerate cancer research. Inspired by previous NASA research, Dr. Jamieson and her team recognized the opportunity to further their research in this unique environment to obtain reliable scientific results, paving the way for a quicker clinical transition of experimental drugs. Microgravity is an environment where tumors have been shown to grow more quickly, and where better drug candidates may be selected for improved odds of working in patients, especially for those with faster disease progressions.

Dr. Jamieson noted, “In terms of tumor growth, we see a doubling in growth of these little mini-tumors in just 10 days,” effectively mimicking aggressive cancer progression in patients. Previous missions, Ax-2 and Ax-3 evaluated both Rebecsinib and Fedratinib, an already FDA-approved drug, revealing that Rebecsinib not only arrested the growth of cancer tumor organoids but also outperformed its predecessor.

Axiom Space and Aspera Biomedicines are pioneering a new model of collaboration between commercial space companies, universities, and pharmaceutical enterprises to accelerate drug development. The ultimate goal is to enhance cancer disease modeling and drug testing in microgravity leading to prediction, prevention, and treatment of cancer patients on Earth.

“We’re proud to work with Aspera Biomedicines and the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute, as together we have achieved a historic milestone, and we’re even more excited for what’s to come,” said Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO of Axiom Space. “This is how we crack the code of the space economy – uniting public and private partners to turn microgravity into a launchpad for breakthroughs.”

This collaboration not only represents a significant advancement in the fight against cancer but also showcases the potential of space research to drive medical innovation.