Colossal Raises $200M to Revive the Woolly Mammoth, Thylacine, and Dodo

Colossal BioSciences, a pioneering company based in Dallas and Boston, has announced the successful acquisition of $200 million in a recent funding round. This investment will be used to advance the company's ambitious mission of "de-extinction," specifically targeting species like the woolly mammoth, thylacine, and dodo.

Ambitious Goals Fuel Funding Surge

Founded in September 2021, Colossal has now raised an impressive $435 million, bringing its valuation to $10.2 billion. The recent funding will allow the company to expand its genetic engineering technologies, and develop innovative software, wetware, and hardware solutions that are applicable beyond species revival, including species preservation and human healthcare.

"This funding will grow our team, support new technology development, expand our de-extinction species list, and help us fulfill our mission to make extinction a thing of the past," said CEO Ben Lamm in a statement.

Currently, Colossal employs over 170 scientists and collaborates with labs in Boston, Dallas, and Melbourne. Their extensive partnerships include over 40 research programs in premier academic institutions across the globe.

Scientific Breakthroughs in Genetic Engineering

The de-extinction process involves recovering and analyzing ancient genetic material to reconstruct the genomes of extinct species. Colossal has taken noteworthy steps in decoding the core genomic components of the woolly mammoth, thylacine, and dodo. A team of experts, including Beth Shapiro, Colossal's Chief Science Officer, and world-renowned advisors, have enabled significant advancements in ancient DNA research and gene-editing techniques.

The genome engineering endeavors have even led Colossal to possess the most comprehensive ancient genomes for these species, paving the way for restoring their distinctive characteristics.

Progress on the Woolly Mammoth Project

As one of its flagship initiatives, Colossal's woolly mammoth project has achieved significant milestones. The team has released chromosome-scale reference genomes of various elephant species and generated the first de novo assembled mammoth genome using ancient DNA. This achievement is critical for accurately identifying mammoth-specific genetic traits.

"These mammoth milestones mark a pivotal step forward for de-extinction technologies," commented Love Dalen, professor at the University of Stockholm, who is advising the project.

Colossal has also derived pluripotent stem cells from Asian elephants, a vital step for in-vitro embryogenesis and gametogenesis. These breakthroughs showcase the project’s potential to revolutionize conservation biology.

Advances in Thylacine Revival

The thylacine project, another cornerstone of Colossal's efforts, has generated the most complete ancient genome for the species to date at 99.9% accuracy. This accomplishment, once deemed impossible, now serves as the genomic blueprint for its de-extinction.

Further achievements include assembling genome sequences for all dasyurid species, which are evolutionary relatives of the thylacine. These findings not only support the thylacine project but also aid conservation efforts for marsupials.

"Colossal’s work demonstrates groundbreaking solutions to safeguard biodiversity," said Andrew Pask, a key figure in the thylacine initiative.

Focusing on the Dodo

The Colossal Avian Genomics Group has made great strides toward reviving the dodo. Their team has completed high-coverage genome assemblies for the dodo, its extinct relative the solitaire, and the critically endangered Nicobar pigeon. They have also developed computational tools to pinpoint traits associated with the dodo's unique features, like its bill morphology.

"The pace of discovery within our dodo team has exceeded expectations," noted Beth Shapiro.

With further refinements, the project is pushing the boundaries of avian genome engineering, which could significantly benefit global bird conservation efforts.

Tackling the Global Extinction Crisis

Alarmingly, up to 50% of the world's animal species may be extinct by 2050. With over 27,000 species going extinct annually, Colossal’s work aims to address this biodiversity crisis by creating scalable solutions through genetic engineering and synthetic biology.

Colossal’s innovations are not limited to de-extinction; they also apply to conserving endangered species within the affected animal groups. For instance, advancements in mammoth-focused reproduction technologies have been extended to preserving endangered elephant species, while the dodo project benefits avian conservation.

"These cutting-edge technologies are changing what is possible in species conservation," stated Barney Long, senior director at Re:wild, a key partner organization.

A Collaborative Mission

With partners like Save the Elephants, International Elephant Foundation, and Aussie Ark, Colossal is leveraging its breakthroughs to address the extinction crisis comprehensively. In partnership with Re:wild, Colossal has committed an additional $7.5 million toward research and conservation initiatives.

Supported by strategic investors and private funders, including figures like Peter Jackson and Paul Tudor Jones, Colossal continues to lead the field in applying cutting-edge tools to safeguarding biodiversity.

As Ben Lamm aptly summarized, "The real promise lies not just in the technology, but in how it can be applied to protect endangered species and restore ecosystems." Coupled with their robust partnerships, Colossal’s innovative approach offers a hopeful future in reversing biodiversity loss and mitigating the global extinction crisis.