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Anthropic is operating a lab that conducts biology experiments
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Anthropic is operating a wet biology lab in the Bay Area using AI models for physical experiments, the company confirmed to TechCrunch. The lab is a concrete step toward AI-driven medicine. It also intensifies debate over the risks of AI in biology.
Dario Amodei said last week, "I believe that AI could cure most major diseases in the next 5–10 years." For that, AI needs real-world testing. Eric Kauderer-Abrams, Anthropic's head of life sciences, told Reuters: "We absolutely are doing that today."
Anthropic acquired Coefficient Bio, a stealth AI biotech, in April. The lab operates like most biotech facilities, with internal research and external partners. Anthropic declined specifics, saying the focus is fundamental biology, not drug discovery.
That distinction matters because Anthropic partners with pharma, including a Novo Nordisk drug-discovery deal. It has faced backlash for competing with customers. This week it launched a Life Sciences Verification Program for vetted researchers and published reports on protein design and biomolecular modeling.
The news arrives amid anxiety. Researcher Jacob Coxon resigned from Anthropic, warning that "the people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade." Anthropic's alignment lead put the odds of AI exterminating humanity above 10%. Amodei last weekend urged the industry to slow down and self-regulate, citing bioterrorism as a major risk.
Investor Chamath Palihapitiya mocked the contrast on X. He wrote: "The group behind such hits as: 'We're All Going To Die' and 'Regulate Me Now' are building a wet lab in SF. I do not recommend this." The juxtaposition has drawn sharp reactions across the tech industry.
Anthropic aims to support drug discovery without competing with pharma partners. Its verification program and reports suggest it is enabling outside scientists. Whether that reconciles safety warnings with lab work remains open.
