Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company focused on de-extinction, announced that its artificial womb platform has achieved a 100% development rate in current tests with the fat-tailed dunnart, a small Australian marsupial with a 13-day gestation period. The platform, developed in Colossal's Australian laboratory, uses a dialysis-like system with AI models and proprietary algorithms to monitor embryo development and adjust nutrients, gases, and chemical signals in real time. According to CEO Ben Lamm, the remaining challenge is chemistry, specifically the chemical signaling between developmental stages, as hardware and software issues have been resolved. The company has hatched 26 chicks using the platform, with ongoing monitoring of their growth. Despite this breakthrough, Colossal stated that the artificial womb is not currently part of its plan to produce a woolly mammoth calf by late 2028. The company believes the technology could eventually reshape conservation biology and reproductive medicine, and has open-sourced its technologies for conservation purposes. Colossal's recent achievements include the birth of three dire wolf pups and the cloning of Tom Brady's dog.

Key facts

• Colossal Biosciences achieves 100% development rate in artificial womb tests with fat-tailed dunnarts.
• Remaining challenge is chemical signaling between developmental stages; hardware and software solved.
• Platform uses AI and dialysis-like system to monitor and adjust embryo development in real time.
• Artificial womb not part of Colossal's 2028 woolly mammoth birth plan.
• Company has hatched 26 chicks and open sources technology for conservation.