Colossal Biosciences
Category: AI in Biotech / Drug Discovery
American biotechnology and genetic engineering company working to de-extinct lost species using CRISPR gene editing, ancient DNA science, and AI-driven computational biology. Colossal Biosciences was founded in 2021. The company is led by Ben Lamm. Based in Dallas, Texas. Team size: 101-500. Total funding raised: $615M. Latest round: Series C. Key investors include TWG Global (Mark Walter & Thomas Tull), UAE government (Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan), Peter Jackson & Fran Walsh, Jeff Wilke (ex-Amazon), Richard Garriott, Paul Tudor Jones, Robert Nelsen, Tony Robbins, Paris Hilton, Tim Draper, Winklevoss Capital, Breyer Capital.
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Dallas, Texas
- Team size
- 101-500
- Total funding
- $615M
Value proposition
De-extinction of keystone species (woolly mammoth, thylacine, dodo, dire wolf, moa, bluebuck) to restore ecosystems and combat biodiversity loss, while developing breakthrough genetic engineering, AI, and reproductive technologies with applications in conservation and human healthcare.
Products and solutions
De-extinction programs (woolly mammoth, thylacine, dodo, dire wolf, moa, bluebuck), CRISPR gene editing platform, Form Bio (computational life sciences software platform, spun out), Astromech (AI-driven predictive biology modeling, spun out at $2B valuation), Breaking (plastic degradation synthetic biology, spun out), Colossal Foundation (non-profit conservation arm), Colossal BioVault (DNA preservation biobank in UAE), Artificial animal womb technology (in development)
Unique value
World's first and only de-extinction company — combining CRISPR gene editing, ancient DNA recovery, AI-driven computational biology, and advanced reproductive technology to resurrect extinct keystone species and restore ecosystems, while spinning out breakthrough platform technologies valued at billions.
Target customer
Conservation organizations, governments (US, UAE), biodiversity credit markets, scientific research institutions, and the broader biotech/pharma industry via spinout technologies
Industries served
Biotechnology, Conservation biology, Genetic engineering, Computational biology, AI-driven life sciences, Synthetic biology, Reproductive technology
Technology advantage
Access to George Church's pioneering CRISPR expertise; world's largest ancient DNA recovery capability; proprietary computational biology platform (Form Bio); AI-driven predictive biology models (Astromech); 16 university research partnerships; labs in Dallas, Boston, and Melbourne; 170+ scientists and 95 advisors
How they differentiate
Colossal is the only for-profit de-extinction company with a multi-species pipeline, $10B+ valuation, and a platform approach that spins out AI and biotech companies (Form Bio, Astromech, Breaking). Competitors are primarily non-profits or academic labs focused on single species or cloning rather than full-stack genetic engineering.
Main competitors
Revive & Restore (non-profit, passenger pigeon/heath hen), San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (Frozen Zoo biobank), Boyalife Group (China, cloning technologies)
Key partnerships
Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP), Baylor College of Medicine, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Re:wild, Save The Elephants, Biorescue, Birdlife International, Aussie Ark, International Elephant Foundation, University of Tasmania, Stockholm University, University of Potsdam
Notable customers
U.S. government (conservation technology contracts), UAE government ($60M investment + BioVault partnership), Colossal Foundation (non-profit conservation arm)
Major milestones
Sep 2021: Company launched with $15M seed, Mar 2022: $60M Series A, Sep 2022: Form Bio spinout ($30M), Jan 2023: $150M Series B at $1B+ valuation (unicorn), Oct 2024: Colossal Foundation launched with $50M, Oct 2024: Dire wolf pups Romulus & Remus born, Jan 2025: $200M Series C at $10.2B valuation (decacorn), Jan 2025: Dire wolf Khaleesi born, Apr 2025: Dire wolf de-extinction publicly announced, Nov 2025: Acquired Viagen Pets & Equine, Feb 2026: $60M UAE investment + BioVault announced, Mar 2026: Astromech spinout at $2B valuation
Growth metrics
Valuation grew from $1B (Series B, Jan 2023) to $10.2B (Series C, Jan 2025) to $20-30B target (Jul 2026); 170+ employees (2025); 3 spinout companies (Form Bio, Astromech at $2B valuation, Breaking); Revenue generation began in 2025-2026 via government contracts (US, UAE)
Market positioning
Dominant leader in the de-extinction space — the only company with a $10B+ valuation, multiple active de-extinction programs, and successful spinouts. Positioned at the intersection of AI, computational biology, and genetic engineering for both conservation and human health applications.
Geographic focus
Global — HQ in Dallas, TX (US); labs in Boston, MA and Melbourne, Australia; partnerships across North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East (UAE BioVault)
Patents and IP
Multiple patents in CRISPR gene editing, ancient DNA recovery, and genetic engineering for de-extinction applications (specific patent numbers not publicly detailed)
About Ben Lamm
Ex-Founder/CEO Hypergiant (enterprise AI, acquired by Trive Capital); Founder/CEO Conversable (conversational AI, acquired by LivePerson); Founder/CEO Chaotic Moon (creative tech, acquired by Accenture); Co-founder Team Chaos (gaming, acquired by Zynga)
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Official website: https://colossal.com