Warp Science, founded by a former OpenAI scientist, is building AI‑driven robotic platforms that synthesize and test molecules, securing $215 million in funding at an $865 million valuation.
Warp Science, the new venture launched by former OpenAI researcher Dr. Maya Patel, has closed a $215 million Series B round, valuing the company at $865 million as it builds AI‑driven robots to automate the synthesis and testing of drug candidates.
Founding vision and technology
Patel, who led OpenAI’s chemistry‑focused research team, founded Warp Science in 2024 to address the bottleneck of manual wet‑lab work. The startup’s platform combines large‑language models with custom robotic arms, enabling rapid iteration of chemical reactions without human intervention.
Funding round details
The $215 million Series B was led by Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, with participation from existing backers such as Lux Capital. Investors were drawn to Warp Science’s promise of cutting drug‑development timelines from years to months.
- Lead investor: Andreessen Horowitz
- Co‑lead investor: Sequoia Capital
- Existing backers: Lux Capital, DCVC, and others
Potential impact on pharma
By automating the synthesis‑test loop, Warp Science aims to reduce the cost of early‑stage drug discovery and increase the diversity of compounds explored. Industry analysts suggest that such capabilities could accelerate the identification of viable candidates for diseases with high unmet need.
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