Colossal Biosciences Unveils Global BioVault Initiative with UAE to Preserve Endangered Species

Colossal Biosciences has announced an ambitious project to establish the world’s first “BioVault,” a groundbreaking initiative designed for the preservation of genetic material from endangered animal species. This significant development was revealed in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and aims to serve as a modern-day "Noah’s Ark" for biodiversity.

The announcement was made during the World Governments Summit, where the BioVault will be permanently housed at Dubai’s Museum of the Future. A temporary preview of this innovative initiative was made available to attendees of the Summit.

“The UAE’s deep commitment to innovation, conservation, and technological advancement is truly inspiring,” said Ben Lamm, Co-Founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, in a statement. He continued, “Through this visionary partnership, Colossal has the opportunity to expand into a critical region and advance our mission on a global scale.”

Lamm, who co-founded Colossal with renowned geneticist George Church, PhD, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that species are being lost at an alarming rate. He describes biovaults as “a true backup plan for life on Earth,” which is essential for addressing the ongoing biodiversity crisis.

“Today’s biobanking efforts are underfunded, fragmented, and often inaccessible, lacking the collaboration and international support that this crisis demands,” Lamm stated. “Thanks to the visionary leadership of the UAE, Colossal is now creating the world’s first Colossal BioVault: an unprecedented global resource, a modern-day Noah’s Ark for protecting and restoring life on our planet.”

Colossal made headlines last year with the genetic engineering of wolf pups, Romulus and Remus, showcasing the potential of genome engineering to revive extinct species. The new BioVault initiative will focus on preserving cell lines and genetic data from critically endangered and keystone species, aiming to establish a public-facing facility that includes “living labs” for educational purposes.

With an initial investment of $60 million from the UAE, this nine-figure initiative elevates Colossal’s total capital raised to $615 million. The BioVault will seek to back up millions of samples from over 10,000 species, concentrating on the 100 most endangered species that are not currently banked elsewhere.

As Lamm pointed out, “We are losing species at an alarming rate, and the world urgently needs a distributed network of global BioVaults—a true backup plan for life on Earth.” The project will incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as advanced robotics, AI, and cryopreservation to ensure the optimal management of biological samples.

The collaboration positions the UAE as a leader in environmental innovation, with Majed Al Mansoori, executive director of the Museum of the Future, stating, “By working with Colossal Biosciences, leaders in synthetic biology and conservation, we’re taking a bold step to advance science that safeguards our planet.” The first year of the initiative will prioritize fieldwork and DNA research, laying the groundwork for future biodiversity protection.

In summary, the Colossal BioVault represents a vital step toward securing the genetic future of endangered species and addressing the impending biodiversity crisis facing our planet. “We are excited to build on this relationship and pioneering bold new solutions to safeguard biodiversity for generations to come,” Lamm concluded.

Additional information about Colossal’s conservation efforts can be found on the company’s official website.