Colossal Biosciences is pioneering the de-extinction of species like the dire wolf and woolly mammoth, using advanced genetic engineering and AI. Beyond resurrecting extinct animals, the company’s groundbreaking work in genome synthesis is paving the way for significant advancements in human healthcare, including potential gene therapies and the eradication of genetic diseases.
This scientific endeavor is not only captivating investors, with Colossal raising over $435 million, but also aims to inspire a new generation about science, education, and conservation.
Colossal Biosciences, a company with ambitions as grand as its resurrected species, is on the cusp of bringing extinct creatures back to life. While comparisons to the fantastical world of 'Jurassic Park' are inevitable, CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm emphasizes a vision far beyond mere spectacle. "I constantly have to remind people on X that, you know, they were movies," Lamm quipped at the CNBC AI Forum, acknowledging the popular fascination but grounding it in scientific reality. Unlike dinosaurs, whose DNA is irretrievably lost, Colossal is making tangible progress with species like the woolly mammoth and the dire wolf, and is also exploring the revival of the dodo bird, the Tasmanian tiger, and the moa.
"It's highly likely in the next coming year or two, people will continue to see us deliver extinct species back to Earth, and we could even have more dire wolves, too," Lamm told CNBC's Julia Boorstin. The company has already achieved a significant milestone by creating three genetically engineered dire wolf pups – Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi – born to domestic dog surrogates. This feat was accomplished by reconstructing the dire wolf genome from ancient DNA found in fossils, utilizing AI to map it to the gray wolf, its closest living relative, and then editing the cells of modern gray wolves to create viable embryos.
While critics argue that Colossal has merely created a genetically modified gray wolf, Lamm dismisses this as a semantic quibble. "Gray wolves are just genetically modified dire wolves. They were just done by nature or God or however you want to classify it," he stated. The company is employing a similar strategy for the woolly mammoth, genetically modifying the Asian elephant, with a predicted birth in the 2030s. Lamm defines their creation as a "woolly mammoth" if it exhibits the characteristics and ecological functions of one, regardless of its direct lineage.
The scientific journey began after Lamm's 2019 meeting with George Church, a pioneer in synthetic biology. Church's long-held dream of reviving the woolly mammoth inspired a broader vision: leveraging advanced technologies like CRISPR for de-extinction, parallel advancements in human healthcare, and the development of a "programmable life model."
The implications extend far beyond ecological restoration. The engineered woolly mammoths, for instance, could play a role in combating climate change by altering arctic landscapes. More profoundly, the cutting-edge genome engineering and developmental biology techniques honed by Colossal are opening new avenues for medical research. "Everything from microbes to plastic in the oceans to gene therapies and targeted delivery for humans to eradicating genetic diseases," Lamm explained. The company is also exploring applications like developing faster-growing crops and trees through advanced DNA synthesis.
A spin-off company, Astromech, is focusing on "convergent evolution," investigating why similar species develop different immunities or health issues. This research holds potential for solving human healthcare challenges and improving pandemic responses, evidenced by Astromech's $2 billion valuation in March.
Colossal Biosciences is not only attracting scientific interest but also significant investment. In July, the company secured a $200 million Series C funding round, valuing it at $10.2 billion and bringing its total raised capital to over $435 million. Lamm highlights that a substantial portion of their investors, particularly younger ones, are driven by a desire to inspire the next generation. "If we can inspire the next generation and get them excited about science and education and conservation, and then build out a synthetic biology platform that can be leveraged for so many different use cases, that's the real mission here," he stated.
