MAHE ties up with US firm for space-based biomedical research

BENGALURU: The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has signed a collaboration agreement with New York-based Helogen Corporation to develop space-based biomedical research, with a focus on studying human biology in microgravity.“The partnership sets up a framework for joint mission planning, experiment design, and development of advanced biomaterials in orbit. The programme will centre on organoid research, including muscle growth and bone loss, with applications both in space and on Earth,” Helogen confirmed in a statement shared with TOI.MAHE will lead the space biology component, designing experiments aligned with India’s emerging human spaceflight and station plans, including the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station. The emphasis, representatives said, will be on scalable and repeatable studies that can translate into clinical and industrial use.“The collaboration will combine MAHE’s organoid research with Helogen’s orbital platforms, including its Cell Environment Life Support (CELS) and HEL-ICS systems, which allow automated cultivation and monitoring of biological samples in space. Helogen will provide end-to-end mission support, including in-orbit operations,” the statement read.Manash K Paul of the Manipal School of Life Sciences will serve as principal investigator, leading a multidisciplinary team drawing on clinical expertise from Kasturba Medical College and engineering inputs from the Manipal Institute of Technology.MAHE vice-chancellor Lt Gen (retd) MD Venkatesh said the collaboration reflects the university’s focus on research at the intersection of biomedical science and space technology, while Helogen CEO Shishir Bankapur said the agreement would help leverage microgravity for next-generation biomedical work, adding that the Indian team brings prior experience of experiments linked to the International Space Station.Helogen develops automated orbital systems for manufacturing high-value biomaterials, integrating biological cultivation and analysis into continuous workflows in space. The company said such infrastructure could reduce the need for frequent crew intervention while enabling large-scale experiments in orbit.Representatives said the tie-up is expected to support long-term research in microgravity as India expands its space ambitions.