OpenAI researcher Miles Wang in talks to launch AI drug discovery startup valued at $2B
Miles Wang, an OpenAI researcher whose work includes using AI to accelerate scientific and biological discovery, is leaving the ChatGPT maker to launch a...
Key points
- Miles Wang, an OpenAI researcher whose work includes using AI to accelerate scientific and biological discovery, is leaving the ChatGPT maker to launch a new startup focused on developing AI models for drug discovery, according to four people with knowledge of his plans.
- Several other OpenAI researchers are expected to join the new company.
- Lightspeed is in discussions to lead the funding round, according to sources.
- Wang disputed the story’s funding figures and description of the company but did not specify the correct numbers or details.
What happened
Miles Wang, an OpenAI researcher whose work includes using AI to accelerate scientific and biological discovery, is leaving the ChatGPT maker to launch a new startup focused on developing AI models for drug discovery, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. Several other OpenAI researchers are expected to join the new company. Lightspeed is in discussions to lead the funding round, according to sources. Wang disputed the story’s funding figures and description of the company but did not specify the correct numbers or details. Chai Discovery, a two-year-old startup developing AI models that can predict molecular interactions to identify new drugs, announced on Tuesday that it raised $400 million at a $3.8 billion valuation. Wang’s new startup may be working on AI models that will help find new uses for existing drugs and possibly those that previously failed in trials, a couple of sources told TechCrunch.