The AI startup Anthropic now operates a physical biology facility in the San Francisco Bay Area to facilitate automated scientific research. This facility allows the firm to transition its life sciences projects from computer simulations into physical experiments using robotic units directed by the Claude AI with limited human intervention.

The lab focuses on rare and "undruggable" diseases through preclinical research, avoiding clinical trials to prevent direct competition with pharmaceutical companies. A spokesperson stated the facility is not specifically for drug discovery, though life sciences head Eric Kauderer-Abrams noted the company is in the "very early innings" of using AI to automate lab work.