NASA signed two patent agreements with GRoK Technologies on Monday to help advance biotechnology innovations that could improve the health of astronauts working long-term at the International Space Station (ISS). Astronauts who live in space for months at a time often pay a price with reduced bone density and muscle mass.
NASA's new partnership with GRoK aims to develop breakthroughs in biomedicine, product testing and improve treatments for people suffering from musculoskeletal pain.
See also: NASA Shows 60 Years of Climate Change in 15 Seconds
One study surveyed 13 astronauts who reported an average bone density loss of 14% during their stays at the ISS, according to Space.com.  Three astronauts lost 30% of their bone density — comparable to an elderly woman with osteoporosis.
GRoK, based in Houston, is developing two platforms to test the new patents it shares with NASA. The first, BioReplicates, uses 3D imaging of human tissue to allow users to test cosmetics and other products for safety and toxicity. NASA's statement said BioReplicates could diminish product testing on animals. Scionic, the second platform, could develop medical devices that reduce inflammation and muscular pain without the use of pharmaceuticals.
"The GRoK team is delighted we are now a NASA licensee with the opportunity to bring forward into the commercial sector technologies that have the capacity to improve the lives of people everywhere," Moshe Kushman, GRoK's founder and CEO, said in a NASA statement.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.