NASA has awarded Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) an additional $4 million to support drug development investigations on the International Space Station using the company's Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory technology.

The funding expands an existing task order under a $25 million, five-year contract through NASA's In Space Production Applications program. Redwire will use its PIL-BOX technology to conduct research aimed at developing treatments for diseases including cancer, osteoporosis and obesity.

The company's PIL-BOX technology has flown 43 units and contributed to growing high-quality crystals in microgravity conditions. Redwire recently supported a cancer therapy investigation led by Aspera Biomedicines that launched aboard the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station. The investigation focuses on advancing development of Rebecsinib, an ADAR1 inhibitor for cancer treatment.

Redwire has partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, ExesaLibero Pharma, Purdue University, and Butler University on various pharmaceutical research projects in space. The microgravity environment allows researchers to grow protein crystals that may be difficult or impossible to produce on Earth.

"NASA and the InSPA program are playing a critical role by acting as a catalyst for revolutionary new public and private sector capabilities," said Mike Gold, President of Redwire's Space business segment.

The Jacksonville, Florida-based company focuses on space and defense technology solutions and employs approximately 1,400 people across North America and Europe. The additional NASA funding supports ongoing efforts to use space-based research for pharmaceutical development applications.