BioServe Developing Drug thats Helpful on Earth and Mars

BioServe is a program at the University of Colorado that is developing a drug that may be able to help fight bone loss in space. The benefits of such a drug does not end with the space program. People who suffer from osteoporosis, which is a bone disease, can also benefit from such a drug. The product offered by BioServe seems like a very viable option. It offers a “fully human monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes RANKL, a key mediator of orthoclase differentiation and activation in bone.” This compound is naturally occurring protein and is in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of osteoporosis and the loss of bone that occurs in certain forms of cancer. The use of this drug is useful to astronauts because it is not incorporated into the bone, has excellent safety data, minimal side effects, and is easy to administer because it only needs to be taken through an injection every 6 months. Its very interesting that astronauts in this instance are being compared to people that are reduced to staying in bed all day, but currently BioServe is trying to conduct a study of the drug on bed rest patients, because they are in a similar situation because they no longer have stress the muscles in their lower extremities. The develpoment of this drug could be very profitable for anyone involved.