Warp Sciences Secures $215 Million to Automate Drug Discovery with AI and Robotics
October 25, 2026 · 2 min read
Warp Sciences has completed a funding round of $215 million to integrate artificial intelligence and robotics into pharmaceutical research laboratories. The company aims to assist biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms in manufacturing and testing candidate compounds more rapidly. Kevin Weil, the former chief product officer and head of the science team at OpenAI, founded the venture. He announced the completion of the financing, which was led by Lightspeed. The company is reportedly valued at $865 million. Other investors participating in the round include IVP, Premji Invest, Mayfield, Lux Capital, and Menlo Ventures.
The startup plans to establish chemical contract research organizations in the United States. These facilities will provide molecular synthesis and testing services for drug development teams. The initial phase focuses on the synthesis of analogs for lead compound optimization. This process involves creating different variants of promising molecules and comparing their properties through experiments. This approach helps researchers screen for candidates suitable for further development. Clients retain control over their drug projects and decide which molecules to study. Warp Sciences does not intend to develop its own drug pipeline.
To train robots for laboratory tasks, chemical researchers will wear camera equipment and sensor gloves. They will demonstrate and record experimental procedures. The company hopes to gradually replace these manual tasks with robotic execution, allowing laboratories to operate continuously. Data generated from each round of experiments will be used to improve AI models and subsequent experimental protocols. This creates a cycle of design, execution, analysis, and redesign. The level of automation and actual efficiency remain to be built and verified by the company.
The business also addresses the US biotechnology industry's reliance on overseas research services. Bulk synthesis of thousands of molecular variants is a time-consuming and labor-intensive step in drug discovery. This work has long been handled by contract research organizations in countries such as China. Warp aims to provide an alternative service within the United States. This strategy seeks to reduce geopolitical supply chain risks and address pharmaceutical companies' concerns regarding intellectual property protection. The founding team includes Weil, Saul Reissberg, Manohar Paluri, and DJ Patil. They combine expertise in AI, robotics, and medicinal chemistry to build domestic laboratory infrastructure.