OpenAI Researcher Miles Wang Raising $200M for AI Drug Discovery

Miles Wang, an OpenAI researcher focused on using AI to accelerate biological discovery, is departing the company to launch a startup developing AI models for drug discovery, according to four sources familiar with his plans. Several other OpenAI researchers are expected to join the new venture.

Wang is currently in discussions to raise approximately $200 million at a $2 billion valuation, with venture firm Lightspeed in talks to lead the round, two sources told TechCrunch, which first reported the news. Wang disputed the funding figures and company description but declined to provide specific corrections. The discussions remain ongoing and terms could change.

Why it matters

The funding talks underscore surging investor appetite for AI applications in life sciences, particularly drug discovery where computational models promise to dramatically reduce the time and cost of bringing new treatments to market. The ability to repurpose existing FDA-approved drugs—a potential focus for Wang's startup—offers a faster path to revenue than developing novel compounds, since safety profiles are already established. This represents a pragmatic approach that could accelerate the commercial viability of AI-driven pharmaceutical research.

A wave of OpenAI talent entering life sciences

Wang's departure continues a trend of OpenAI researchers launching AI-focused life sciences companies. Josh Meier, who also worked as a researcher at OpenAI, co-founded Chai Discovery, which announced Tuesday it raised $400 million at a $3.8 billion valuation. Chai develops AI models that predict molecular interactions to identify new drug candidates.

Meanwhile, Isomorphic Labs, a Google DeepMind spinout working on AI models for drug discovery, secured a $2.1 billion Series B round in May. The pattern suggests OpenAI has become a training ground for researchers who see commercial opportunities in applying large-scale AI techniques to pharmaceutical development.

Repurposing drugs as a faster path

According to sources who spoke with TechCrunch, Wang's startup may focus on AI models that identify new uses for existing drugs, including those that previously failed in clinical trials. This approach, known as drug repurposing, can significantly compress development timelines because these compounds have already undergone safety testing and FDA approval for other indications.

The strategy allows companies to bypass years of preclinical and early-phase safety trials, potentially reaching revenue-generating applications far sooner than traditional drug development pathways.

From Harvard dropout to AI founder

Wang joined OpenAI in 2024 after leaving Harvard University, where he was pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science. During his time at OpenAI, he co-authored research papers examining how AI models can automate and accelerate scientific discovery—work that appears directly relevant to his new venture.

His decision to leave college for OpenAI, and now to launch a startup, reflects renewed investor willingness to back young founders without completed degrees, a dynamic that had cooled following the collapse of several high-profile dropout-led companies in recent years.

Details about the funding round were first reported by TechCrunch.