Warp Sciences emerges from stealth, founded by ex-OpenAI science chief and tech veterans

Warp Sciences Inc., a drug discovery chemistry startup, has launched with $215 million in new funding after its co-founder and CEO, Kevin Weil, recently moved on from his role at OpenAI. The company plans to establish a contract research organization in the United States to provide biotech and pharmaceutical firms with molecules for their drug programs.

Warp focuses on lead optimization and analog synthesis, creating variations of promising molecules for customer scientists to evaluate as they narrow down drug candidates. The data from these experiments will train Warp's AI models, guided by experienced chemists as automation increases. Robotics will learn lab tasks from chemists wearing cameras and sensor gloves.

Weil, the CEO, noted that physical sciences have not yet benefited from AI advancements as dramatically as software engineering and mathematics. Sol Reisberg, Warp's co-founder and chief scientific officer, previously led medicinal chemistry work at Terremoto Biosciences. Concerned about IP protection with overseas partners, Warp aims to offer a U.S.-based alternative at competitive prices.

The company's overseas chemistry partners have raised concerns about China's involvement in preclinical and clinical services, which accounted for 74% of the 124 biotech companies surveyed by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization in 2024. Warp will not develop drugs themselves, only providing the molecules chosen by customers.

Co-founders DJ Patil, Mano Paluri, and Sol Reisberg bring extensive experience from previous tech roles, including leadership positions at Devoted Health and Meta Platforms. The funding round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners LP, with participation from 18 investors, including notable figures such as Brian Armstrong from Coinbase Global Inc., Sarah Friar from OpenAI, and several angel investors.