And so, this story can be told, now -- and in some detail (after vetting for trade secrets): Merck Research Labs, an arm of US Merck (and others) essentially "hire time and talent" aboard the Space Station, to have pre-packed experiments run -- to inform tech or medical approaches. Ones not possible, without the near zero-gravity conditions in low Earth orbit. Here's the latest on the dimensions of the Rahway collab, as written up by NASA tonight:
. . .In collaboration with scientists at Merck, protein crystal growth research on the space station yielded early insights regarding the structure and size of particles best suited for the development of a new formulation of the company’s cancer medicine pembrolizumab for subcutaneous injection. This new route of delivery was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September and offers a time-saving alternative to intravenous infusion for certain patients. These research efforts aboard the space station were supported by the ISS National Laboratory.
Originally, the treatment was delivered during an in-office visit via infusion therapy into the patient’s veins, a process that could take up to two hours.
Initial delivery improvements reduced infusion times to less than 30 minutes every three weeks. The newly approved subcutaneous injectable form takes about one minute every three weeks, promising to improve quality of life for patients by reducing cost and significantly reducing treatment time for patients and healthcare providers. . . .
Now you know. And let's get that Crew Eleven team home. . . safely, now. I have zero doubt that we. . . will. Onward.
नमस्ते
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