LambdaVision Books Commercial Space in Low-Earth Orbit with Starlab Space and Voyager Technologies

Key Terms

low-Earth orbit technical

Low-earth orbit (LEO) is the region of space close to Earth where satellites circle at relatively low altitudes, roughly between about 160 and 2,000 kilometers. For investors, LEO matters because satellites placed there are cheaper and faster to reach, offer lower communications delay and clearer imaging, and enable large commercial services like broadband, Earth observation and logistics monitoring — much like a network of local cell towers and cameras in the sky that can generate recurring revenue streams.

microgravity technical

Microgravity is a condition where objects experience almost no net weight because they are in continuous free-fall, such as aboard orbiting spacecraft; think of passengers feeling weightless in a smoothly falling elevator. For investors, microgravity matters because it enables scientific experiments and manufacturing processes that behave very differently than on Earth, potentially creating novel drugs, materials, or technologies, changing development timelines, costs, market opportunities and regulatory considerations.

retinal degenerative diseases medical

Retinal degenerative diseases are a group of conditions in which the light-sensing cells at the back of the eye progressively break down, causing worsening vision or blindness; think of it like gradual wear-and-tear on a camera sensor. They matter to investors because they represent a large unmet medical need with clear patient populations, long development cycles, and the potential for transformative treatments or diagnostic tools that can significantly affect a company’s market value and regulatory risk.

biosensors medical

Biosensors are devices that use a biological element (like an enzyme or antibody) combined with a detector to identify and measure molecules such as glucose, pathogens or biomarkers. Think of them as a smoke detector for specific chemicals or biological signals; they turn a biological reaction into a readable signal. Investors care because biosensors can drive recurring revenue from diagnostics, monitoring and wearable health devices, and their commercial value depends on accuracy, manufacturing scale and regulatory approval.

tissue engineering medical

Tissue engineering is the lab-based process of growing or assembling living cells on supportive frameworks and using biochemical cues to create or repair body tissues, like building replacement parts from living materials. For investors, it matters because successful products can create entirely new markets for treating injuries and chronic diseases, but they also carry long development timelines, high manufacturing costs, and regulatory risk that affect potential returns.

drug delivery medical

Drug delivery is how a medicine is packaged, moved and released inside the body so it reaches the right place at the right time and dose. Think of it like a shipping and packaging system that affects a product’s effectiveness, side effects and convenience; better delivery can make a drug work longer, be safer, or be easier to use. Investors care because delivery methods influence a therapy’s market value, regulatory approval, manufacturing costs and competitive advantage.

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Convertible senior notes are a type of loan that a company issues to investors, which can be turned into company shares later on. They are called "senior" because they are paid back before other debts if the company runs into trouble. This allows investors to earn interest like a loan but also have the chance to own part of the company if its value rises.

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Company advances toward scaling manufacturing of artificial retina in LEO

WOODBRIDGE, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- LambdaVision, an innovative biotech company developing a protein-based artificial retina to help patients regain sight lost to retinal degenerative diseases, is advancing its commercialization efforts by pre-booking commercial space in low-Earth orbit (LEO) through partnerships with Starlab Space LLC, a joint venture led by Voyager Technologies. This strategic agreement supports LambdaVision’s plan to scale manufacturing of its protein-based artificial retina in space to benefit people with retinal degenerative diseases here on Earth and prepares the company for the scheduled 2030 retirement of the International Space Station (ISS).

“This partnership with StarLab will allow us to continue to build on the significant momentum we have created toward our long- and short-term goals of leveraging LEO for both advancing our protein-based artificial retina toward commercialization and laying the groundwork for other potential commercial efforts in LEO,” said Nicole Wagner, Ph.D., CEO of LambdaVision. “Our hope is that our layer-by-layer technology, and this partnership for commercial space in LEO, will help build a thriving LEO economy even as the ISS readies for retirement.”

Through this agreement, LambdaVision has reserved payload slots and commercial space on Starlab's next-generation commercial space station.

“LambdaVision has demonstrated the maturity of the science, engineering, and in-space manufacturing processes required to produce retinal implants in microgravity,” said Luis Zea, Ph.D., chief scientist at Starlab. “Their reservation with Starlab enables the transition from demonstration to scalable, sustainable manufacturing, unlocking exponential growth while delivering meaningful benefits to patients on Earth. We are proud to work with LambdaVision to harness the unique advantages of microgravity to do good in the world.”

LambdaVision leverages microgravity to improve the layer-by-layer production process of their artificial retina through alternating layers of the protein bacteriorhodopsin and a polymer, supported by a membrane of a synthetic fiber that has long been used by the medical community. Reduced gravity in an LEO environment improves homogeneity, stability, and performance of thin films like the protein-based artificial retina. By using proteins similar to the visual pigment rhodopsin naturally found in our eyes, LambdaVision’s protein-based artificial retina mimics the light-absorbing properties of human photoreceptors replacing the function of these damaged cells in the retinas of blind patients.

“LambdaVision is a perfect case study to show the transformative potential of Starlab’s orbital platform for the biotech industry,” said Ariel Ekblaw, CEO of Aurelia Institute and founder of MIT Space Exploration Initiative. “Purpose-built infrastructure in space will empower a new generation of biotech companies – starting with LambdaVision – to pursue truly breakthrough advances. We are proud to support LambdaVision in their mission to leverage the space domain for the benefit of life on Earth and enthusiastically support their partnership with Starlab.”

While LambdaVision’s first application is focused on restoring vision, its layer-by-layer protein manufacturing platform has broader potential that could enable highly uniform, stable protein films for sensitive biosensors, optical systems, tissue engineering, and drug delivery applications. Moreover, the pioneering hardware, systems, and processes associated with manufacturing a drug product in microgravity will demonstrate feasibility and inspire new research and commercial therapeutic development in LEO.

“LambdaVision’s work represents an exciting step forward for life sciences in space. As investors in both LambdaVision and Voyager, we’re excited to see LambdaVision’s innovative artificial retina technology combined with Voyager’s Starlab platform,” said Rob Desborough, partner at Seraphim Space. “Together, they are demonstrating how orbital research can accelerate new therapies and expand the possibilities for commercial science in low-Earth orbit. It’s inspiring to see companies working together to harness microgravity to benefit patients here on Earth.”

LambdaVision has recently closed a $7M seed funding round co-led by Seven Seven Six and Aurelia Foundry Fund, with additional support from Seraphim Space, providing runway into 2027. With this funding, the company continues to validate its innovative space-based manufacturing to benefit those on Earth.

To date, LambdaVision has secured $22.0 million in funding and launched 9 missions to the ISS.

About LambdaVision

LambdaVision is leveraging space to develop a protein-based artificial retina to restore meaningful vision for the millions of patients blinded by retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The patent-protected artificial retina technology developed by LambdaVision uses photoactive proteins to naturally mimic the light-absorbing properties of human photoreceptor cells and activate neuroreceptors still present in degenerated retinas of blind patients. LambdaVision’s artificial retina is one of the first technologies being evaluated on the International Space Station that has potential for clinical use, and the established microgravity manufacturing processes, quality control methods, and laboratory techniques provide a foundation for future clinical research in space. To learn more, visit lambdavision.com.

About Starlab

Starlab Space is a U.S.-led, global joint venture among Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG), Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applications Services, with strategic partners including Hilton, Journey, Northrop Grumman, and The Ohio State University. Starlab is developing a next-generation, AI-enabled commercial space station, aiming to ensure continued human presence in low-Earth orbit and a seamless transition of microgravity science and research alongside the retirement of the International Space Station. Starlab's advanced, user-driven design and robust capabilities make it a premier platform for scientific discovery and technological advancement in space. For more information, visit starlab-space.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224622244/en/

Media Contact

Kristin Rose Jutras

908.947.0500 x719

Kristin.jutras@tmstrat.com

Starlab Space

Melissa Price, melissa@griffincg.com

Source: LambdaVision