Varda Space Industries

Founded in January 2021 by former SpaceX engineer Will Bruey and Founders Fund partner Delian Asparouhov, Varda Space Industries is pioneering in-space pharmaceutical manufacturing using microgravity to create superior drug formulations. The company designs spacecraft that process small molecule pharmaceuticals in microgravity where suppressed convection and sedimentation produce more uniform crystals, improving drug shelf-life, bioavailability, and patient experience. In February 2024, Varda made history as only the third company ever to return materials from orbit, successfully bringing back ritonavir HIV medication crystals from their W-1 mission after navigating complex regulatory approvals. With $329 million raised through Series C funding, the El Segundo-based company has completed three successful missions, with W-4 currently in orbit and a fifth mission planned for 2025, demonstrating space manufacturing's commercial viability.