Anthropic has confirmed that it operates a wet biology lab in the Bay Area, where its AI models can be used to support and test physical experiments.
Eric Kauderer-Abrams, the company’s head of life sciences, told Reuters that real laboratory work remains the final test for biological research. Anthropic said the facility conducts some in-house research while also working with external partners.
The company declined to disclose specific projects, but said the lab is focused on fundamental biology rather than drug discovery. That distinction comes as Anthropic works with pharmaceutical companies, including through a recently announced collaboration with Novo Nordisk on joint drug discovery.
Anthropic’s move follows its April acquisition of Coefficient Bio, a stealth AI biotech company. It has also launched a Life Sciences Verification Program, giving vetted biology researchers access to its advanced models, and published research on protein design and biomolecular modeling.
The lab’s development comes amid wider debate over the risks of applying advanced AI to biology. CEO Dario Amodei has identified bioterrorism as a major AI risk and called for greater industry self-regulation. The decision to conduct physical biology research has also drawn criticism from some technology figures, given Anthropic’s warnings about the potential dangers of powerful AI systems.
Source: TechCrunch
