# Varda Space Signs First Major Pharma Deal With United Therapeutics to Crystallize Lung Drugs in Orbit, Launch Set for Early 2027

*2026-05-16 22:01 UTC · Science · 1 min read*

> Varda Space Industries signed United Therapeutics as its first commercial pharma partner, flying lung-disease drugs to orbit in early 2027 to find new crystal polymorphs.

Varda Space Industries announced on May 13 that it has signed pharmaceutical company United Therapeutics as its first major commercial partner, marking a turning point that converts orbital drug manufacturing from research curiosity into a real supply chain. The El Segundo startup, co-founded by Founders Fund partner Delian Asparouhov and former SpaceX engineer Will Bruey, will fly United's lung-disease treatments to low Earth orbit aboard its W-series reentry capsules to test whether the drugs crystallize into new polymorphs in microgravity.

United Therapeutics CEO Martine Rothblatt confirmed her company is paying Varda to help identify new crystal forms of its rare pulmonary disease drugs, which could yield improved stability, shelf life or delivery properties. Neither company disclosed financial terms or which specific drugs will fly. The first mission is expected in early 2027, with samples returning via parachute landing in the Australian outback within weeks.

The deal validates Varda's $187 million Series C funding raised last year and follows a successful experiment crystallizing the HIV drug ritonavir in space. Varda has flown six reentry missions to date, with W-6 launched in March 2026.

## Sources

- [technologyreview.com](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/05/13/1137153/varda-united-therapeutics-drug-manufacturing-in-space/)
- [prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varda-space-industries-and-united-therapeutics-collaborate-to-advance-microgravity-enabled-treatments-for-rare-pulmonary-disease-302770786.html)
- [bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-13/varda-deepens-drugs-in-space-bet-after-win-with-aids-medication)

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