Colossal Biosciences: The Woolly Mammoth Resurrection Project

The Pursuit of De-Extinction: Colossal Launches with $15 Million to Revive the Woolly Mammoth

A growing number of organizations are exploring the transformative potential of CRISPR technology in medicine. However, one company stands apart, singularly focused on utilizing gene editing to recreate a creature lost to time: the woolly mammoth, or a remarkably similar analogue.

Introducing Colossal: A Novel Biotechnology Venture

The core objective of a newly established company, Colossal, is to resurrect this iconic species. Co-founded by renowned geneticist George Church and entrepreneur Ben Lamm, formerly CEO of Hypergiant, the company intends to leverage CRISPR technology to modify the genomes of Asian elephants.

This approach won’t yield a perfect mammoth replica, but rather an elephant-mammoth hybrid possessing many of the mammoth’s defining characteristics. Church’s laboratory has dedicated years to this research, and now, he and Lamm have successfully convinced investors of the project’s viability beyond the realm of science fiction.

Securing Seed Funding for a Bold Vision

Colossal has officially launched, announcing a $15 million seed funding round spearheaded by Thomas Tull, the former CEO of Legendary Entertainment – the studio behind films like Dune, Jurassic World, and The Dark Knight.

The investment group also includes Breyer Capital, Draper Associates, Animal Capital, At One Ventures, Jazz Ventures, Jeff Wilke, Bold Capital, Global Space Ventures, Climate Capital, Winklevoss Capital, Liquid2 Ventures, Capital Factory, Tony Robbins, and First Light Capital.

“This team possesses a unique ability to redefine our understanding of modern genetics and develop groundbreaking technologies,” states Robbins. “Their work has the potential to not only restore lost species but also to advance the entire field.”

The Expertise Behind Colossal

Lamm brings to Colossal his experience as the founder of Hypergiant, an AI-focused company based in Texas. He has a proven track record of building and successfully selling companies, including:

• Conversable (acquired by LivePerson)
• Chaotic Moon Studios (acquired by Accenture)
• Team Chaos (acquired by Zynga)

George Church is a pioneer in his field, having developed the first direct genomic sequencing method in the 1980s and playing a key role in initiating the Human Genome Project.

Pushing the Boundaries of Gene Editing

Currently, Church leads synthetic biology initiatives at the Wyss Institute, concentrating on the synthesis of entire genes and genomes. While CRISPR gene editing is primarily focused on correcting single disease-causing genes in human trials, Church’s projects embrace a broader scope – accelerating evolutionary processes.

In 2015, his team edited 62 genes in pig embryos, aiming to create organs suitable for human transplantation. The resulting company, eGenesis, is currently conducting preclinical trials on monkeys, though it has faced some delays relative to Church’s initial projections.

The Mammoth Project: A Long-Term Goal

The resurrection of the woolly mammoth has been a long-standing ambition for Church. In 2017, his Harvard University lab successfully integrated 45 mammoth genes into the genome of an Asian elephant. This new company will provide full support for this ongoing research at Church’s lab.

Colossal’s central argument for bringing back the mammoth centers on mitigating the effects of climate change through ecosystem restoration. Lamm elaborates on this point:

“Our primary goal extends beyond simply recreating the mammoth; it’s about successfully re-wilding them. The toolkit we develop will provide the means to prevent extinctions and aid critically endangered species.”

Addressing the Global Extinction Crisis

Approximately 1 million plant and animal species are currently facing the threat of extinction. If Colossal’s mammoth project proves successful, it would demonstrate their ability to repopulate recently extinct creatures and even implement “genetic rescue” strategies to prevent further species loss.

Genetic rescue involves enhancing genetic diversity within endangered populations, potentially through gene editing or cloning to create a broader gene pool. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated in February 2021 with the cloning of Elizabeth Ann, the first cloned endangered species native to North America.

Beyond Resurrection: Addressing the Root Causes

While reviving extinct species may offer a response to the consequences of climate change, it doesn’t address the underlying causes. A newly resurrected creature, vulnerable to the same climatic factors that led to its initial extinction, faces an uncertain future. Fluctuating climates were, in fact, a significant contributor to the decline of megafauna.

Furthermore, re-wilding extinct species could have unforeseen ecological consequences, including the introduction of novel diseases, displacement of existing species, and alterations to the landscape.

Why the Mammoth? A Strategic Choice

Given the urgency of saving currently endangered species, why focus on the mammoth? Lamm acknowledges that the company may also explore editing the genomes of Asian elephants to enhance their resilience. However, the mammoth project remains the company’s guiding “north star.”

Lamm argues that the mammoth project is a “moonshot” endeavor. Even if the company doesn’t fully achieve its primary goal, the development of proprietary de-extinction technologies could be licensed or sold to other entities.

A Legacy of Innovation and Intellectual Property

“This is akin to the Apollo program – a literal moonshot,” Lamm explains. “Numerous technologies were created along the way, such as GPS, the foundations of the internet, and semiconductors, all of which proved highly profitable.”

In essence, the mammoth project serves as an incubator for developing a range of intellectual property, potentially including artificial wombs and other applications of CRISPR technology. While these projects face significant scientific challenges, they may be more attainable than bringing a mammoth back to life.

Building a Brand and Inspiring the Public

Colossal also aims to establish a distinctive brand identity, described by Lamm as “Harvard meets MTV.” He draws parallels to successful space exploration brands like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and NASA.

“NASA is arguably the most successful brand the United States has ever created,” Lamm notes. “These companies have captured the public’s imagination in a way that others haven’t.”

This approach echoes Elon Musk’s ambition to send humans to Mars, despite ongoing challenges with Starship’s prototype test flights.

A Vision for the Future

The ambitious ideas, Lamm believes, attract public attention, while the intellectual property development can reassure investors. The perspective is undeniably rooted in science fiction, but that may be intentional.

Colossal remains firmly committed to bringing a mammoth to life. Lamm anticipates that the current funding will enable the development of a viable mammoth embryo, with the first calves potentially born within the next four to six years.