The platform is designed to manufacture proteins directly in orbit, including antibodies, structured peptides, knottins, virus-like particles and membrane proteins.

The project explores whether space can offer a new manufacturing environment for biologics that are difficult to produce on Earth. By combining cell-free biomanufacturing with microgravity-compatible fluidics and autonomous process control, AEGIS investigates whether microgravity can improve protein folding, assembly and product homogeneity.

The team combines Fraunhofer IZI-BB’s expertise in eukaryotic cell-free protein synthesis, protein analytics and assay development, and from LUH-ITA experiment design in microgravity, fluidics and space-compatible hardware. Together, AEGIS aims to make microgravity accessible as a practical development environment for complex biologics.