Alphabet’s Isomorphic Labs raises $600M in first funding round for AI drug business

Isomorphic Labs, an AI-focused drug business under Google's umbrella, announced a successful $600 million funding round led by Thrive Capital, with participation from Google Ventures and additional backing from Alphabet. The funding marks the first external investment for the London-based company, which aims to revolutionize drug discovery through artificial intelligence. Building on the success of its AlphaFold platform, which has significantly reduced research time by predicting protein structures, Isomorphic Labs plans to use the new capital to enhance its AI drug design capabilities and advance clinical development.
The ambitious goal of Isomorphic Labs is to 'solve all disease' through the transformative power of AI, a mission that has garnered partnerships with pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly and Novartis. The recent funding will enable the company to expand its team and accelerate its research efforts. Led by Demis Hassabis, who is also the CEO of DeepMind Technologies, the venture highlights Alphabet's broader interest in healthcare innovation, complementing its other subsidiaries like Verily and Calico. The implications of these advancements could lead to significant breakthroughs in medical science, potentially reducing costs and timeframes in drug development.
RATING
The article provides a clear and timely overview of Isomorphic Labs' recent funding round and its ambitious goals in AI-driven drug discovery. It effectively communicates the significance of the company's mission and the potential impact of its technologies. However, the story would benefit from greater balance, transparency, and inclusion of diverse perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic. By incorporating insights from independent experts and addressing potential challenges, the article could enhance its credibility and engagement, ultimately offering a more nuanced exploration of the implications of AI in healthcare.
RATING DETAILS
The story accurately reports that Isomorphic Labs raised $600 million in its first external funding round, led by Thrive Capital, with participation from Google Ventures and follow-on capital from Alphabet. This is substantiated by multiple sources, including official press releases and reputable news outlets. The founding of Isomorphic Labs in 2021 by Demis Hassabis, who also leads DeepMind, is correctly stated. The claim that the company aims to 'solve all disease' through AI is ambitious but aligns with statements from the company.
The article mentions AlphaFold's impact on drug discovery, stating it has potentially saved millions of dollars and research time. While the specific figures are dramatic, they are consistent with the broader narrative of AlphaFold's significance in scientific advancements. However, the claim that AlphaFold has a Nobel Prize is misleading, as AlphaFold itself has not won a Nobel Prize, although its contributions are highly regarded in the scientific community.
Overall, the article's claims are mostly accurate, but some statements could benefit from more precise language to avoid potential misinterpretations. The story would be strengthened by providing specific timelines or milestones for Isomorphic Labs’ clinical developments and expansion plans.
The article primarily presents a positive view of Isomorphic Labs and its potential impact on drug discovery through AI. It highlights the company's ambitious goals and significant achievements, such as the development of AlphaFold. However, it lacks counterpoints or critical perspectives that might question the feasibility of 'solving all disease' or the challenges that come with AI-based drug discovery.
There is a notable absence of views from external experts or critics who might provide a more nuanced perspective on the potential risks or limitations of relying heavily on AI in drug development. Including such viewpoints would offer a more balanced representation of the topic, helping readers understand both the opportunities and challenges associated with Isomorphic Labs' mission.
The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the main points. It effectively summarizes the key aspects of Isomorphic Labs' funding and mission, making it accessible to a general audience.
However, some statements, such as the impact of AlphaFold, could be clarified to prevent potential misinterpretations. Providing additional context or examples would enhance the reader's comprehension of complex topics like AI-driven drug discovery.
The primary sources for the article include statements from Isomorphic Labs and Google, as well as reputable news outlets covering the funding announcement. These sources are credible and authoritative, providing a strong foundation for the reported facts.
However, the reliance on company press releases and statements may introduce a degree of bias, as these sources are inherently promotional. The article could be improved by incorporating insights from independent experts in the field of AI and drug discovery, which would add depth and credibility to the reporting.
The article provides a clear overview of Isomorphic Labs' recent funding and its goals, but it lacks detailed explanations of the methodologies or technologies involved in achieving these objectives. The claim basis for the company's mission to 'solve all disease' is not thoroughly explored, leaving readers with limited understanding of how this ambitious goal might be realized.
Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as financial ties between the reporting outlet and the companies involved. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the reader's trust in the reporting.
Sources
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/isomorphic-labs-announces-600-million-funding-to-further-develop-its-next-generation-ai-drug-design-engine-and-advance-therapeutic-programs-into-the-clinic-302415532.html
- https://www.genengnews.com/topics/artificial-intelligence/deepmind-spinout-isomorphic-labs-raises-600m-toward-ai-drug-design/
- https://www.isomorphiclabs.com/articles/isomorphic-labs-announces-600m-external-investment-round
- https://siliconangle.com/2025/03/31/alphabet-spinout-isomorphic-labs-raises-600m-ai-drug-design-engine/
- https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/isomorphic-venture-raise-alphabet-ai-drug-discovery/743983/
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Alphabet’s AI drug discovery platform Isomorphic Labs raises $600M from Thrive
Score 7.4
Big Pharma Is Investing Billions In AI— And The Value Is Finally Starting To Show
Score 6.0
If OpenAI Buys Chrome, AI May Rule The Browser Wars
Score 7.2
Google faces $6.6 billion lawsuit in Britain for alleged abuse of dominance in online search
Score 6.8