Podcasts

Revolutionizing Drug Development in Space with Varda

Revolutionizing Drug Development in Space

Manufacturing in space leverages the unique conditions of microgravity to enhance processes that are challenging or impossible on Earth. 

In this exciting episode of Pioneers, the Siemens StartUp Podcast, host Kevin Blevins sits down with Will Bruey, CEO and co-founder of Varda Space Industries. Varda is not just any space company; they are pioneering the manufacturing of products in space and bringing them back to Earth for terrestrial use.

In this episode, you will gain insights into Varda Space Industries’ unique business model, including their focus on pharmaceuticals and the benefits of microgravity in drug development. You will also get to hear details about their successful first mission and the future potential of space manufacturing. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Will Bruey’s background and journey to founding Varda Space Industries (01:29)
  • How Varda manufactures drugs in orbit for unique formulations. (06:20)
  • Space manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and entrepreneurship. (16:35)
  • The future of space manufacturing and its potential impact on various industries (19:22)
  • The importance of clear communication and team building for startup success (21:44)
  • Why Varda Space Industries chose Siemens for their aerospace manufacturing (22:31)

Siemens Xcelerator for Startups Program 

At Siemens, we understand the struggles of early-stage startups. Let us remove the barriers on your startup journey by helping you transform your engineering ideas into real, marketable products with industry-leading software solutions. Join the Siemens Xcelerator for Startups Program to grow your startup to its full potential. Want to get in touch? Reach out here.

Guest: Will Bruey

Guest: Will Bruey

Will is CEO and Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries, whose space factories leverage the unique environment of microgravity in low-Earth orbit. Prior to Varda, Will co-founded a small venture fund called Also Capital, served as Director of Global Equities Technology at Bank of America, and co-founded Second Order Effects, an engineering services company. He was the lead avionics engineer at SpaceX and flew Dragon on eight missions to the International Space Station. Will holds a B.S. in Applied Physics from Cornell and a master’s in Systems Engineering. He was raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and his hobbies include flying and maintaining his Cozy MK4 aircraft. 

Host: Kevin Blevins

Host: Kevin Blevins

Kevin Blevins is the Portfolio Development Executive for SMB and Startup Companies and manages the Siemens Digital Industries Software Startup Program. He works with the Siemens sales organizations as well as Siemens Partners to engage and evangelize the Siemens Startup Program in the Americas. Kevin has spent more than 35 years in the Engineering and Manufacturing software industry. Prior to this he spent seven years in the automotive design industry. Kevin has been with Siemens for 33 years. During this time, he has held positions in Technical Support, Technical Sales Support Leadership, Sales Director for the Automotive Region, Partner Sales Executive, and his current position. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI.

Varda Space Industries

Varda Space Industries

Varda is a microgravity-enabled life sciences company that processes materials in orbit and returns them to Earth. Varda is accelerating innovation in the space industry and creating products that will benefit life on Earth, to expand the economic bounds of humankind. Varda’s first mission successfully landed in Feb. 2024. Learn more about Varda here.

Pioneers: Startups from Dreams to Reality Podcast

Pioneers: Startups from Dreams to Reality

Ideas alone can’t change the world. It takes grit, and serious funding. In Pioneers, host Kevin Blevins sits down with startup founders to discuss the startup lifestyle- from concept to execution- and the big ideas that fuel these pioneers. From the future of farming to autonomous flight, there’s no frontier too far.

Listen on:

Katherine Cerrone

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This article first appeared on the Siemens Digital Industries Software blog at https://blogs.stage.sw.siemens.com/podcasts/startups/revolutionizing-drug-development-in-space-with-varda/