# Anthropic opens biology lab for AI experiments

> The AI company is building physical lab capacity, but won't say what it's actually researching.
- Title: Anthropic opens biology lab for AI experiments · Engadget
- Summary: The AI company is building physical lab capacity, but won't say what it's actually researching. Anthropic is moving beyond software into wet lab biology…
- Keywords: anthropic, biology research, drug discovery, claude, san francisco bay area, life sciences, ai safety, robotics automation, eric kauderer-abrams, technology, opens, biology
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2262087/anthropic-has-set-up-a-bio-research-lab-for-physical-experiments
- Author: Mariella Moon
- Published: 2026-09-18T12:21:57+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anthropic, ai, biology research, drug discovery, claude, san francisco bay area, life sciences, ai safety, robotics automation, eric kauderer-abrams, technology
## Anthropic opens biology lab
The AI company has established a research lab in the San Francisco Bay Area to conduct physical experiments. Head of Life Sciences Eric Kauderer-Abrams confirmed the lab exists and said real lab work remains essential for biology.

> We believe that to do biology, the final test is still and will be for a while in real lab work.
## Drug discovery program launched
Anthropic launched Claude Science in June to research drugs that pharmaceutical companies avoid because they're not profitable. A spokesperson said the new lab wasn't created specifically for drug discovery alone.
## AI could accelerate drug development
Kauderer-Abrams believes AI could speed up discovery of treatments for conditions previously thought too difficult to treat, including complex and targeted therapies.
## Teaching Claude to control robots
Anthropic is exploring ways to make Claude control robots to carry out scientific experiments. Kauderer-Abrams said the company is in very early stages of automating lab work with AI.
## Human oversight still essential
Kauderer-Abrams emphasized that human oversight remains critical for safety as AI automates lab work. Anthropic has not yet run any clinical trials.
## Trust problem looms large
Anthropic faces public skepticism like other AI companies. The firm recently stopped multiple scientists from using its models to create potential biological weapons.
## Key takeaway

Anthropic is moving beyond software into wet lab biology, combining AI with hands-on experimentation, though the company faces trust concerns around AI safety.