Colossal Biosciences Wins Support for DNA Biobank
The biotech firm persuaded the Trump administration to back a plan to collect DNA samples from endangered species.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Biotech
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Colossal Biosciences has convinced the Trump administration to support an initiative to gather DNA samples from endangered species. The company, which raised $230 million in its Series C last year at a $10.2 billion valuation, is also raising a new round at a valuation of $20 billion to $30 billion.
Why it matters
The biobanking effort is pitched as a response to climate change and habitat destruction pressuring wildlife, placing federal policy alongside private biotech ambitions. Colossal's push for government backing signals how emerging genetic technologies may increasingly draw public-sector partnerships.
Colossal has made 130 edits to mammoth genes so far, and its initial 2028 deadline for creating a woolly mammoth is expected to be missed. The data does not yet show whether the company's projected valuation will hold as the new round is raised.
The players
Colossal Biosciences
A biotechnology company focused on de-extinction and genetic conservation efforts, which has raised substantial venture funding and spun out several related companies.
Trump administration
The current administration of President Donald Trump, which has agreed to support Colossal's initiative to gather DNA samples from endangered species.
The details
Colossal convinced the administration by framing the initiative around technology, cost savings, and exciting wins. The company began working with the administration earlier this year on the biobank, and has also spun out companies including one that uses microbes to destroy plastic.
Timeline
Last year: Colossal raised $230 million in its Series C round.
Earlier this year: Colossal began working with the Trump administration on its biobank.
2028: Initial deadline for creating a woolly mammoth, which the company is expected to miss.
Big Picture
The biobank effort extends Colossal's de-extinction program, whose dire wolf and woolly mammoth projects have so far produced genomes that remain closely similar to gray wolves and living elephants. The shift toward preserving endangered species represents a departure from the company's earlier focus on resurrecting extinct animals.
The initiative could influence how endangered species are monitored and preserved, potentially affecting conservation funding decisions. For readers, the near-term effect is limited to watching whether the federal partnership and new funding round materialize as described.
The takeaway
Colossal's shift toward biobanking shows how de-extinction firms are positioning their technology around conservation and government partnership. Readers should watch whether the promised federal collaboration and valuation targets are met.
Further reading
Explore more biotech news for context on how private firms are shaping genetic conservation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wired.
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