Closing Bell Manifest Space: Varda Closes $187 Million Series C Round with Varda Space CEO Will Bruey 7/11/25
Jul 11, 2025
In this discussion, Will Bruey, Co-founder and CEO of Varda Space, shares insights on the groundbreaking work of his in-space manufacturing startup. He delves into the revolutionary potential of drug manufacturing in microgravity, showcasing its ability to enhance drug formulations. Bruey also highlights advancements in reusable rocket technology and hypersonic testing for the Department of Defense, revealing how these innovations are transforming pharmaceutical production and testing in extreme environments.
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Ritonavir Mission Demonstrates Value
- Varda flew the HIV drug ritonavir on their first mission, once recalled due to crystal form issues.
- This proved Varda’s ability to prevent manufacturing issues by controlling crystallization in space.
Simulate Gravity Effects On Earth
- Use centrifuges on Earth to simulate high gravity effects on drug crystallization.
- This guides Varda to predict microgravity effects and choose best molecules for space manufacturing.
Scaling Microgravity Drugs Creates Market
- Microgravity drug manufacturing is a huge untapped market now viable due to more affordable, frequent space access.
- Increasing flight cadence lowers costs, expanding the range of economically viable drugs for space production.