Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

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• Electrophoresis Operations in Space Necessary to Satisfy Patient Population
— Ground Scale-up Costs Prohibitive to Achieve Meaningful Plant Output
— Price of Ground Derived Product Would Be Substantially Higher
— Purity Levels That Are Achievable Only in Space May Be Required
[7] INITIAL BUSINESS STRATEGY
Objectives Accomplishments
Find Pharmaceutical Company as Ortho Pharmaceutical Became Active Partner
Active Partner in July 1978
Obtain Free Flights from NASA to MDAC/NASA Joint Endeavor Agreement
Verify Concepts and Equipment Signed January 1980
Optimize the Electrophoresis Process Five Years Development of Electrophoresis
for Ground Research Technology 1977 Thru 1981
Ensure Proprietary Nature of Process Five Invention Disclosures Written,
and Hardware Two Patents Issued, One Pending
Identify at Least One Product for Product Identified and Detail Market Research
Development and Marketing of Ortho Confirmed Large Market
Assess Feasibility of EOS Program Economic Feasibility Established and Presented
Including Economic Viability of in Business Plan in June 1981
Commercial Phase
[no page number] PARAMETERS OF THE STUDY
Number of Products
• 1 Product Industry
• 6 Product Industry
• 12 Product Industry
Market Capture
• 25% Domestic
• Pharmaceutical Products Only
Modes of Operation
• Shuttle Sortie
• Shuttle + Unmanned Platform
• Shuttle + Space Station
Time Frame
• Until the Year 2000
SPACE AS AN INVESTMENT IN ECONOMIC GROWTH