Ex-OpenAI Scientist Starts Warp Sciences to Robotise Drug Lab Work

Kevin Weil, former head of science at OpenAI, unveiled Warp Sciences, an AI firm that raised $215 million to automate wet-lab tasks for drug discovery.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 22, 2026 · 11:38 PM 1 min read

Ex-OpenAI Scientist Starts Warp Sciences to Robotise Drug Lab Work

Key takeaways

Kevin Weil, former OpenAI science lead, founded Warp Sciences to automate drug-discovery labs.
Warp Sciences raised $215 million in a round led by Lightspeed, valuing the company at $865 million.
The startup plans to train robots, using cameras and sensor gloves, to perform wet-lab tasks around the clock.
Weil hopes the technology will move synthesis work from Chinese contractors back to domestic facilities.
Investors in the round include IVP, Premji Invest and Lux Capital.

Kevin Weil, who previously led science at OpenAI, announced the creation of Warp Sciences, an artificial-intelligence company that will automate laboratory work for drug discovery. The firm secured $215 million in funding, valuing it at $865 million, Weil said in a post on X.

The financing round was headed by Lightspeed, with IVP, Premji Invest and Lux Capital also taking part.

Biotech firms have traditionally sent the most labor-intensive step, synthesising thousands of molecule variants, to contract manufacturers in China, such as WuXi AppTec. Weil aims to bring that activity back home and shield the drug-development pipeline from geopolitical supply-chain uncertainties.

Human chemists at the startup will wear cameras and sensor-filled gloves while teaching robots to carry out a range of laboratory procedures. By mechanising wet-lab operations, Warp Sciences intends to speed up drug discovery with robots that can work continuously.