OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has partnered with Founders Fund and Lux Capital to invest $30 million in Valthos, a New York–based biotech AI startup specializing in biosecurity.
The funding round, announced on October 24, 2025, seeks to counter the rising risk of AI-enabled biological threats, which experts warn could become a serious global hazard as advanced technology becomes more accessible.
Valthos Inc. is a newly launched biotech security startup headquartered in New York. It specializes in AI-powered biosecurity systems that analyze biological data from sources like wastewater, air, and genetic samples to identify potential biohazards early.
Founded by Kathleen McMahon, former head of life sciences at Palantir Technologies, and Tess van Stekelenburg, Valthos combines machine learning, data analytics, and biotechnology to develop an early warning system for global biological threats.
The company’s goal is clear — to detect unusual biological activity, trace its source, and create countermeasures before a large-scale outbreak occurs.
Although AI continues to accelerate breakthroughs in therapeutics, vaccine development, protein engineering, and diagnostics, analysts caution that the same capabilities can also be misused by malicious actors.
Historical episodes of bioterrorism in the early 2000s continue to serve as reminders of the need for early intervention—therefore, Valthos’ technology arrives at a crucial time. Moreover, OpenAI’s investment signals its broader commitment to responsible AI, extending beyond language models and into the realm of safety infrastructure.
This move also aligns with the technology industry’s growing emphasis on ethical innovation and safeguards around high-powered AI. At the same time, the involvement of Founders Fund and Lux Capital reflects a growing appetite among venture capital firms to fund technologies that address national security and global health resilience.
In an official statement, Kathleen McMahon, CEO of Valthos, said, “Our mission is to build an early detection system that safeguards humanity from the potential misuse of AI in biology. OpenAI’s backing will accelerate our progress in deploying AI responsibly for global safety.”
Looking ahead, Valthos’ platform could significantly reshape how governments and institutions predict, monitor, and neutralize biological threats, thereby potentially strengthening pandemic preparedness worldwide. Moreover, as AI continues to evolve rapidly, collaborations like this may ultimately set the template for future public–private safety initiatives.
For now, the $30 million commitment represents a decisive step toward building AI-backed biodefense ecosystems, combining technological advancement with the urgent need for global security.
