Colossal Biosciences
Austin, US · Founded 2021 · 16 known investors
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Also known as Colossal · Colossal Inc.
Founders & leadership
Colossal Biosciences was founded in 2021 by Benjamin Lamm and Ben Lamm.
Board
Investors · 16
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Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$162.6M disclosed across 1 of 3 rounds · 2023–2026
▶$162.6MraisedJul 2024 · 27 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Tom ChiDirector
- Brian BeardExecutive Officer, Director
- Benjamin LammExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $173.8M
- Amount sold
- $162.6M
- First sale
- Jan 2023
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2021
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Colossal Biosciences is a genetics and biosciences company whose stated purpose is to counter species extinction through de-extinction, which it describes as a functional application of advanced gene-editing technology aimed at rebuilding the DNA of extinct megafauna and other species considered to have had a measurable positive effect on ecosystems. The company operates its own laboratories and test facilities and organizes its work around named species programs, including the woolly mammoth, thylacine, dodo, dire wolf, moa and bluebuck, alongside conservation activity such as elephant conservation and broader genetic rescue efforts run through the Colossal Foundation.
Its flagship program is the woolly mammoth, for which the company says its teams have collected viable DNA samples and are editing the genes intended to allow the animal to live in the Arctic again. Colossal also frames its technology platform as having applications beyond de-extinction, including advancing the "economies of biology," disease diagnosis and medical treatment. Public-facing activity includes species indexes, education material, a news channel and a scientific advisory board.
Founding story
Colossal was founded by Ben Lamm and geneticist and serial biotech founder George Church. Ben Lamm serves as founder and CEO.
Business model
Colossal positions itself as a company combining genetics research with commercial discovery, developing gene-editing and biosciences capabilities in its own labs and test facilities, with an associated Colossal Foundation running conservation and genetic rescue programs.
Traction
Colossal reports viable woolly mammoth DNA samples and active gene editing work, multiple parallel species programs, the de-extinction of the dire wolf with three named animals, and the acquisition of ViaGen Pets & Equine.
Latest developments
Company news items report the acquisition of ViaGen Pets & Equine (November 2025), expansion of Colossal Foundation programs across six continents (January 2026), and an account of the dire wolf de-extinction featuring animals named Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi (August 2026).
▸Full profile — market position, technology, geography, history
Market position
Colossal describes itself as the company set to solve extinction and as a leader in bringing back extinct species, with a scientific advisory board including academic and biotech figures.
Technology
The company's approach centers on advanced gene editing applied to reconstructing the genomes of extinct species, supported by in-house laboratories and test facilities. For the woolly mammoth program it describes collecting viable ancient DNA samples and editing genes to produce animals suited to Arctic conditions. Colossal also states its technologies have potential adjacent uses in sustainability, disease diagnosis and medical treatment.
Geography
The company operates laboratories and test facilities, and its foundation's genetic rescue and de-extinction programs are described as spanning six continents.
History
Since founding, Colossal has built out laboratories and test facilities and expanded from its initial woolly mammoth program to multiple species programs including the thylacine, dodo, dire wolf, moa and bluebuck. Company news reports the acquisition of ViaGen Pets & Equine in November 2025, an expansion of Colossal Foundation genetic rescue and de-extinction programs across six continents in January 2026, and the de-extinction of the dire wolf, with three named animals, reported in August 2026.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Competitors · 2
by search overlapCompanies competing with Colossal Biosciences for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsCompany news post describes Colossal bringing back the dire wolf, naming three animals: Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi.
Company news post reports the Colossal Foundation expanding its genetic rescue and de-extinction programs across six continents.
Company news items dated 2025-11-06 report Colossal Biosciences' acquisition of ViaGen Pets & Equine, framed as scaling species recovery work.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
Colossal Biosciences Targets Up to $30B Valuation in New Funbriefs.co · Jul 2026
Techbuzztechbuzz.ai · Jul 2026
Colossal Biosciences reportedly in talks to raise new capital at $20B–$30B valuation | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com · Jul 2026
Colossal Biosciences raises $200M at $10.2B valu. to bring back woolly mammothstechcrunch.com · Jan 2025▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- Colossal Biosciencescolossal.com · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Colossal Biosciences do?
- Colossal is a genetics and biosciences company applying advanced gene editing to de-extinction and species conservation.
- Who founded Colossal Biosciences?
- Colossal Biosciences was founded by Benjamin Lamm, Ben Lamm in 2021.
- Who are Colossal Biosciences's investors?
- Colossal Biosciences's investors include At One Ventures, Bold Capital Partners, BOLD Longevity, Breyer Capital, Carnrite Ventures, Draper Associates, Evolution VC Partners, GoAhead Ventures and 8 more.
- How much funding has Colossal Biosciences raised?
- Colossal Biosciences has disclosed $162.6M raised across 1 of its 3 known rounds.
- Where is Colossal Biosciences headquartered?
- Colossal Biosciences is headquartered in Austin, US.