Former OpenAI science lead Kevin Weil launches Warp Sciences with $215 million to automate wet labs
Former OpenAI science lead Kevin Weil has launched Warp Sciences, an artificial intelligence startup aiming to automate physical laboratory work for drug discovery. Weil announced the new venture and its initial funding on the social platform X.
Former OpenAI science lead Kevin Weil has launched Warp Sciences, an artificial intelligence startup aiming to automate physical laboratory work for drug discovery. Weil announced the new venture and its initial funding on the social platform X. The company has raised $215 million at an $865 million valuation, according to Weil.
The funding round was led by Lightspeed, with participation from IVP, Premji Invest, and Lux Capital. Warp Sciences trains robots to synthesize and test promising chemical compounds identified by researchers. Biotechnology companies typically outsource this labor-intensive molecule-testing work to contractors in China, such as WuXi AppTec. Weil stated that the startup hopes to reshore this work to insulate the drug development process from geopolitical supply-chain risks.
To train the machines, human chemists wear cameras and sensor gloves while performing lab tasks. The resulting automation is designed to let robots operate around the clock and accelerate drug discovery.
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Original publication: 23 October 2026 00:08
