OpenAI researcher Miles Wang in talks to launch AI drug discovery startup valued at $2B
The funding discussions point to investor interest in applying AI to make breakthroughs in life sciences. Miles Wang , an OpenAI researcher whose work includes using AI to accelerate scientific and biological discovery, is leaving the ChatGPT maker to launch a new startup focused on developing AI models for drug discovery, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. Wang is in talks to raise about $200 million at a $2 billion valuation, two of the people said.
Key Takeaways
- Lightspeed is in discussions to lead the funding round, according to sources.
Talks are ongoing, the deal may not be final and details could change.
- Chai Discovery, a two-year-old startup developing AI models that can predict molecular interactions to identify new drugs, announced on Tuesday that it raised $400 million at a $3.
(Co-founder Josh Meier also passed through OpenAI as a researcher.
- Finding new uses for FDA-approved drugs can result in significantly faster time to revenue than developing new drugs from scratch, as these medicines have already been tested for safety.
Wang joined OpenAI in 2024 after dropping out from Harvard, where he was working on a bachelor's degree in computer science.
- Marina Temkin Reporter, Venture Marina Temkin is a venture capital and startups reporter at TechCrunch.
Prior to joining TechCrunch, she wrote about VC for PitchBook and Venture Capital Journal.
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Stats & Key Facts
- #Wang is in talks to raise about $200 million at a $2 billion valuation, two of the people said.
- #Chai Discovery, a two-year-old startup developing AI models that can predict molecular interactions to identify new drugs, announced on Tuesday that it raised $400 million at a $3.
- #) Meanwhile, Google DeepMind spinout Isomorphic Labs, which also develops AI models for drug discovery, raised a $2.
The funding discussions point to investor interest in applying AI to make breakthroughs in life sciences. Miles Wang , an OpenAI researcher whose work includes using AI to accelerate scientific and biological discovery, is leaving the ChatGPT maker to launch a new startup focused on developing AI models for drug discovery, according to four people with knowledge of his plans.
Wang is in talks to raise about $200 million at a $2 billion valuation, two of the people said. Lightspeed is in discussions to lead the funding round, according to sources. Talks are ongoing, the deal may not be final and details could change.
Wang disputed the story's funding figures and description of the company but did not specify the correct numbers or details. Lightspeed didn't respond to a request for comment. The funding discussions point to investor interest in applying AI to make breakthroughs in life sciences.
For more details please read the original article at TechCrunch AI.
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