OpenAI researcher Miles Wang is reportedly preparing to leave the company to build a new startup centered on AI-driven drug discovery. According to people familiar with the plans, several OpenAI researchers may join him in the venture.
The company is said to be in early funding discussions, with talks reportedly centered on raising about $200 million at a $2 billion valuation. Lightspeed is believed to be among the investors in discussion, although the details are still evolving.
Wang has worked on research aimed at speeding up scientific and biological discovery through AI. At OpenAI, he co-authored studies exploring how models can support and accelerate laboratory research, adding to a growing wave of interest in AI tools for life sciences.
The broader sector is gaining momentum as startups and research labs use machine learning to identify promising molecules, predict interactions, and uncover new applications for existing medicines. This approach can shorten development timelines by building on compounds that have already been tested for safety.
Wang joined OpenAI in 2024 after leaving Harvard, where he had been studying computer science. His next move reflects how quickly AI talent is moving toward real-world scientific applications, especially in medicine and biology. The coming years may see these models reshape how new therapies are discovered and developed.
