United Kingdom · Regional Lead · 2026-10-23
UK research update describes space-grown crystals for future drug formulations
BioOrbit’s orbital manufacturing work remains research toward potential therapies, rather than an approved treatment for patients.
UK Research and Innovation reported October 23 on BioOrbit’s completed pharmaceutical research mission to the International Space Station. The UK company is studying whether microgravity can support production of concentrated protein crystals that are difficult to manufacture under conditions on Earth.
Its Baby BOX-E platform launched in May and spent approximately six weeks in orbit, according to UKRI. The research explored crystal formation as a possible route to more stable, concentrated formulations. The report also describes a £9.8 million seed funding round supporting the company’s development.
BioOrbit received support through the European Space Agency’s UK business incubation program, delivered with the Science and Technology Facilities Council and other partners. The company has been developing the specialist systems required for orbital manufacturing experiments since joining that program in 2023.
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Environment · 2026-10-24
Saturday wildfire report lists eight uncontained large fires nationwide
The October 24 federal snapshot reports light initial-attack activity while crews continue work on several established incidents.
The National Interagency Coordination Center’s October 24 situation report lists eight uncontained large fires and keeps national preparedness at Level 1. Issued at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, the report characterizes initial-attack activity as light, with 86 fires recorded in the preceding reporting period.
The national summary lists two new large incidents and one large fire contained. Its active-incident resource table records 1,274 personnel, a decrease of 340 from the preceding report. Those figures describe the reported resource picture, not the total number of emergency responders working throughout the country.
Read articleWorld · 2026-10-24
World Polio Day statement outlines Ethiopia vaccination response plans
An October 24 partner statement reports 11 circulating-variant cases this year and describes planned November and December campaigns.
A World Polio Day statement published by WHO’s Ethiopia office on October 24 calls for sustained vaccination and surveillance as the country responds to circulating variant poliovirus. The partners report 11 type 1 variant cases during 2026; these are year-to-date figures, not 11 newly announced infections occurring Saturday.
The statement describes a planned response targeting roughly 11.35 million children in five regions. Most of the intended recipients are younger than five, with children under ten included in West Shewa. Campaign rounds are scheduled for November 20–23 and December 18–21.
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