Lila Sciences Raises $200 Million to Advance AI-Led Scientific Platform
AI-driven research firm Lila Sciences secures $200 million in seed funding with support from ADIA, Flagship Pioneering, and others to build an autonomous platform for science and innovation.
Elena Whitmore 
Lila Sciences targets scalable automation in scientific research
Founded in 2023 within the labs of Flagship Pioneering, Lila Sciences has secured $200 million in seed investment to further develop its Autonomous Science platform. The goal is to create a system capable of supporting and scaling scientific experimentation across life sciences, chemistry, and materials science. The funding round drew interest from a wide range of backers, including General Catalyst, March Capital, ARK Venture Fund, Altitude Life Science Ventures, Blue Horizon Advisors, the State of Michigan Retirement System, Modi Ventures, and a fully owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).
The platform is designed to integrate AI with robotics and automation to accelerate and optimize the entire scientific process. Rather than merely processing data, the system aims to enable AI to propose hypotheses, design experiments, and test outcomes in real-world scenarios. According to Geoffrey von Maltzahn, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Lila Sciences, “Lila's mission to responsibly achieve scientific superintelligence is born out of the belief that this is the most important opportunity of our time.” He noted the technical challenges of scaling the scientific method through automation, from hypothesis generation to practical implementation.
Funding to support infrastructure and autonomous lab expansion
The $200 million in funding will be used to expand Lila Sciences’ technological infrastructure and establish autonomous labs. The aim is to build a platform capable of executing scientific experiments with high efficiency and speed, leveraging generative AI technologies. The company has already demonstrated significant use cases, including the development of large language models for scientific reasoning, the discovery of antibodies and peptides, the creation of genetic medicine constructs, and the development of non-platinum catalysts for green hydrogen production.
Expert leadership team with strong scientific backgrounds
Lila Sciences is led by a team of renowned experts. George Church, Ph.D., serves as Chief Scientist Officer. Andrew Beam, Ph.D., is the Chief Technology Officer. Kenneth Stanley, Ph.D., known for his work in neuroevolution, holds the role of Senior Vice President. Rafael Gomez-Bombarelli, Ph.D., is the Chief Science Officer for Materials, and Christopher Fussell leads operations as President.
Strategic partnerships and investor backing
The company plans to collaborate with stakeholders across the scientific ecosystem to develop solutions in human health and sustainability. The presence of high-profile investors like Flagship Pioneering, known for co-founding Moderna, and firms like General Catalyst, March Capital, and ARK Venture Fund reflects a growing institutional interest in science-focused AI innovation. Blue Horizon Advisors, operating from both the UAE and the UK, adds an international perspective to the investor group.
ADIA’s involvement further highlights the role of sovereign wealth funds in supporting forward-looking technologies. While the specific amount of its contribution remains undisclosed, ADIA’s participation signals its broader strategy of investing in sectors with long-term innovation potential.
Lila Sciences positions its platform as open to scientific and industrial partners, aiming to contribute to faster, cost-effective research that addresses complex global challenges.
