Isomorphic Labs and tech giants invest $1.8B in AI virtual cell project

A major public-private coalition is investing approximately $1.8 billion into the Virtual Biology Initiative to develop a ‘virtual cell’. This AI-driven model aims to simulate human biological behavior, allowing scientists to conduct digital experiments to predict how cells react to drugs and environmental changes before moving to physical laboratories.

The funding involves a combination of corporate investment and US government support. Google DeepMind, Meta, and Isomorphic Labs are contributing roughly $300 million. The US Department of Energy is committing over $500 million over five years, while the National Institutes of Health is coordinating access to existing federal research databases and repositories worth more than $500 million. The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub is also providing $500 million for infrastructure and scientific coordination.

Separately, Isomorphic Labs, the Google DeepMind spin-off specializing in AI drug discovery, is reportedly in early discussions for new funding. These talks could value the company between $40 billion and $50 billion, a significant increase from its previous $17.5 billion valuation. Led by CEO Demis Hassabis, the company utilizes the AlphaFold technology to power its drug design engine and plans to begin first-in-human clinical trials by the end of 2026.