Former OpenAI Science Lead Launches Warp Sciences to Automate Wet Labs

Former OpenAI science lead Kevin Weil has launched Warp Sciences, an artificial intelligence startup focused on automating wet-lab work in drug discovery using robots. The company, which announced the launch and funding on X, has raised $215 million at an $865 million valuation. The round was led by Lightspeed, with participation from IVP, Premji Invest and Lux Capital. Warp Sciences aims to train robots to synthesize and test promising compounds identified by researchers. Human chemists wearing cameras and sensor gloves will guide the robots through various laboratory tasks, teaching them to perform manual work that is typically time-intensive and dependent on skilled labor. Once trained, the robots are intended to operate continuously, accelerating the experimental stage of drug development. The startup also positions automation as a way to reduce dependence on outsourced chemical synthesis. Many biotech companies have long relied on contractors such as WuXi AppTec in China to perform large-scale molecule testing. By bringing this work in-house and automating it with robotics, Warp Sciences seeks to make the drug discovery process more resilient to geopolitical supply-chain risks.