Ben Lamm, TIME100 Next Honoree, Expands Frontier with New AI Venture

Ben Lamm, co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, was just named to the TIME100 Next 2025 list, recognizing his groundbreaking work in de-extinction biotechnology. While Colossal continues making headline, thanks to breakthroughs like engineered woolly mammoth prototypes and “dire wolf” cubs who recently celebrated their first birthday, Lamm has also been quietly working on a new artificial intelligence venture: Astromech.

According to recent SEC filings, Astromech has raised $30 million in stealth-mode funding to build cutting-edge AI tools in genomics and synthetic biology.

TIME100 Recognition: “A Colossal Vision” 

The TIME100 Next profile, written by George Church, credits Lamm for assembling a coalition of conservationists, Indigenous leaders, gene therapists, and AI experts. This team powers Colossal’s mission to use ancient DNA to help revive lost biodiversity. Their success has sparked global intrigue, with coverage in outlets like TIME, The New York Times, and Wired, and cemented Lamm’s role as a leading biotech innovator.

From Genomes to Generative AI 

Astromech’s site remains minimal and mysterious, but its career postings hint at a bold vision: AI for genomic inference, synthesis design, and ancestral modeling. The company is hiring specialists in sequence reconstruction, gene regulation, protein folding, and more.

The stealth launch aligns with Lamm’s broader vision: applying computation not only to understand the past, but to reshape the future of life.

Why It Matters for AI and Life Sciences 

Astromech’s work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology—a convergence of fields increasingly seen as the next frontier in precision medicine, synthetic biology, and evolutionary modeling. Lamm and Church’s previous work together at Colossal has already redefined the field of de-extinction; Astromech may now do the same for AI in life sciences.

Want a deeper dive into Colossal’s scientific model? Read their Science page or explore the Colossal Foundation to see how their initiatives support global conservation.

Track Record of Leadership 

Lamm’s resume spans multiple successful exits, including:

• Hypergiant – AI for critical infrastructure (acquired by Trive Capital)
• Conversable – Conversational commerce platform (acquired by LivePerson)
• Chaotic Moon – Creative tech studio (acquired by Accenture)

His ventures tend to skate ahead of market trends—and often get acquired by major players once the world catches up.

What’s Next 

With two deeply technical companies now under his leadership, Lamm is among the few founders truly operating at the crossroads of genetic science and artificial intelligence. His ability to secure major funding while managing high-profile, high-risk projects sets him apart in both biotech and venture-backed tech.

Follow Lamm on X, subscribe to Colossal’s newsroom, or watch Astromech.com as the company gradually steps out of stealth.

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