Anthropic opens Bay Area biology lab for AI-driven drug research

Anthropic has established a wet lab in the San Francisco Bay Area, expanding its artificial intelligence work into physical biology and drug science, according to sources and company officials. The startup aims to unlock treatments for rare diseases, moving beyond computer-based evaluations. Life sciences head Eric Kauderer-Abrams said the lab was not specifically for drug discovery, though a spokesperson declined to elaborate. Anthropic wants its Claude AI to direct robotic units in experiments with limited human intervention, while emphasizing that human involvement remains essential for safety. The company announced plans in June for preclinical work in financially unattractive areas, launched Claude Science, added Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan to its board, and acquired Coefficient Bio for about $400 million in stock. Anthropic is hiring for procurement and protein characterisation roles, focusing on previously "undruggable" conditions without conducting clinical trials.