BSGN LifeScience Industry Accelerator
Date:
2021 – …
State of progress:
In progress (phase 2)
Objective:
Accelerating commercial activities in low Earth orbit within the life sciences sector
Partners:
ESA (sponsor), MEDES
Description
The BSGN LifeScience industrial accelerator, led by ESA’s Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) and managed by MEDES since 2021, aligns with ESA’s future strategy, in connection with Agenda 2025 and the Terrae Novae strategic roadmap. Its goal is to promote the growth of commercial activities in low Earth orbit within the BSGN framework.
The BSGN LifeScience industrial accelerator aims to:
- involve new stakeholders from the biomanufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics sectors,
- support projects that address terrestrial challenges that can be solved using the advantages of the space environment combined with space technologies and infrastructures,
- collaborate with the commercial space ecosystem in low Earth orbit,
- encourage the development of high-potential commercial activities,
- attract new funding sources beyond ESA.
This accelerator is part of the ESA BSGN Industry Accelerators, alongside themes such as “Advanced Materials and In-Space Manufacturing,” “AgriFood,” and “Space Resources.”
Completed activities – Phase 1
In 2021, ESA’s BSGN launched the BSGN LifeScience industrial accelerator, managed by MEDES. This first phase served as an exploratory and transition phase dedicated to accelerating projects. The initiative generated strong interest from the life sciences sector in leveraging space conditions, particularly in the fields of diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and bioproduction. It also highlighted the need to increase awareness within the healthcare ecosystem about the opportunities offered by space.
To date, five innovative life science projects have been accelerated and are scheduled to fly by 2026 via European commercial platforms aboard the ISS.
These initiatives, benefiting from 50% ESA co-funding, illustrate the growing momentum of the sector, both for terrestrial healthcare applications and for the development of commercial services in orbit.
Perspectives (phase 2)
The LifeScience accelerator is now entering its second phase, a crucial step in consolidating its operations and ensuring a sustainable funding model.
Collaboration with other accelerators and industrial partners will play a key role in securing the initiative’s long-term viability by engaging major private-sector players and exploring new sources of funding.
The primary objective of this new phase is to optimize and stabilize project identification and support processes while structuring a sustainable economic model. The LifeScience Industry Accelerator is thus continuing its expansion to position the Low Earth Orbit and the space commercial capabilities as a strategic innovation driver for life sciences and to attract biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industry players.
Call for Projects
A new call for projects will be launched in the second quarter of 2025, selecting new innovative projects in the life sciences sector.
The details of this call are currently being defined and will be published on the BSGN website and this page.
More information
Consult the following information websites:
