# Varda raises $251 million Series D at a reported $1.6 billion valuation

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/varda-raises-251-million-series-d-at-a-reported-1-6-billion-valuation-5bc625b7
Date: 1 Oct 2026
About: [Varda Space Industries](https://technooptimist.io/companies/varda-space-industries.md) · [W-series capsules](https://technooptimist.io/spaceflight/w-series.md)
Original source: https://techfundingnews.com/varda-raises-251m-led-by-lux-capital-and-natural-capital-to-make-medicines-in-orbit/

Varda Space Industries announced a $251 million Series D led by Lux Capital and Natural Capital, taking its total funding to $598 million. Varda makes pharmaceuticals in orbit: its W-Series spacecraft process materials in microgravity and bring them back in a reentry capsule.

## Key facts

- Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, General Catalyst and several other investors also joined the round.
- The $1.6 billion valuation is reported by Payload, not stated in the announcement.
- Varda has not yet produced its first medicine in space; its stated goal is a drug made in orbit and then used on Earth.
- W-8 and W-9 were set to launch on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare as soon as October 1.
- W-8 carries sensors and thermal protection materials for a US military study; W-9 carries a Defense Department payload testing navigation during hypersonic flight.

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