Atelerix and Frontier Space partner on ambient preservation of biological samples for space missions
Atelerix, a biotechnology company focused on cell preservation and biological transport using hydrogel encapsulation, has announced a partnership with Frontier Space, a UK space biotechnology company building platform technology for in-orbit research and development (R&D) and biomanufacturing. Under a two-year memorandum of understanding, the companies will validate Atelerix’s alginate hydrogel encapsulation technology for preserving biological samples during microgravity research missions, with the aim of improving sample quality and reducing payload mass and associated costs.
The cold chain problem in orbit
Frontier Space provides in-space R&D services intended to accelerate bio-technology research by exploiting the improved protein crystallisation, 3D cell culture and expedited ageing associated with microgravity. Transporting biological samples to, within and back from space typically requires cryopreservation, which adds operational complexity and risk as well as payload-related mission costs.
Scope of the collaboration
The partners will assess Atelerix’s patented technology for ambient temperature preservation and transport of suspended mammalian cells, organoids and organ-on-chip models. They aim to address key bottlenecks for microgravity research by exploring whether the approach can reduce reliance on cold-chain logistics, simplify transport and handling, lower preservation-related payload mass and risk, and support assessment of sample integrity and suitability for post-flight analysis.
Atelerix will provide preservation
products, protocols and technical support for agreed testing projects. Frontier Space will identify relevant sample and payload use cases and support the design, integration and execution of validation work within its in-space R&D capabilities. The parties are targeting launch oppor-tunities throughout 2027, with successful validation informing the direction of future commercial projects in space biotechnology.
Cost and access
Dr Aqeel Shamsul, CEO of Frontier Space, said the company anticipates saving up to $30,000 (about €26,400) in launch costs by removing the need for bulky cryogenic storage. He noted: “Through our collaboration with Atelerix, we will assess whether its preservation technology can reduce reliance on bulky cryogenic storage while maintaining the sample quality required for post-flight analysis. This is an important step in evaluating practical solutions for future space-based research and biomanufacturing.”
Alastair Carrington, CEO of Atelerix, commented: “Working with Frontier Space gives us a clear route to test the benefits our approach can bring to microgravity research, removing the cost and complexity of cold chain transport and enabling scientists to access higher quality samples for post-mission analysis.”