OpenAI researcher Miles Wang in talks to launch AI drug discovery startup valued at $2B

An OpenAI researcher is in talks to leave the company and launch a startup focused on developing AI models for drug discovery, with discussions underway to raise approximately $200 million at a $2 billion valuation. Several other OpenAI researchers are expected to join the new company, which may work on AI models to find new uses for existing drugs and those that previously failed in trials. This reflects investor interest in applying AI to breakthroughs in life sciences, as other well-funded startups in this space have recently announced major funding rounds. The researcher joined OpenAI in 2024 after dropping out of Harvard and has co-authored research papers on how AI models can accelerate scientific discovery.