Bio Protocol Aims to Birth an AI-Native Research Market

Bio Protocol, a decentralized science (DeSci) platform integrating blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and community-driven research, has secured $6.9 million in funding led by Maelstrom Fund, with additional support from Animoca Brands and other investors. The capital will advance the platform's mission to accelerate biotech research through an AI-native infrastructure, aiming to streamline the traditionally slow and resource-heavy drug discovery process.

The funding round, classified as a seed raise, comes amid increasing interest in DeSci, a movement seeking to democratize scientific research and funding. Bio Protocol’s approach involves the development of AI-driven entities called “BioAgents,” which are designed to generate hypotheses, manage onchain wallets, and direct community-raised capital into experiments. Each step of this decentralized process is recorded on the blockchain, ensuring transparency and traceability. The model aims to compress the drug development timeline from decades to months by removing reliance on traditional academic and pharmaceutical funding mechanisms.

The platform recently launched Bio V2, an upgraded framework that introduces onchain fundraising tools, decentralized AI frameworks, and the BioXP reward system. Key innovations include Ignition Sales—fast, low-cap fundraising for BioAgents and tokenized intellectual property—and a staking system that aligns incentives for researchers, investors, and community members. The first BioAgent, Aubrai, developed in partnership with VitaDAO and longevity researcher Dr. Aubrey de Grey, has already generated over 1,000 hypotheses and raised $250,000 in funding since its launch in August 2025.

Arthur Hayes, founder of Maelstrom Fund, described Bio Protocol as a potential “category-defining launchpad” for scientific research and emphasized its transformative potential. “If it works, it’s not just a launchpad—it’s the birth of an AI-native research market,” he said. Hayes highlighted the project’s ability to engage communities in scientific endeavors, moving beyond traditional academic priorities. The platform’s tokenized incentives and decentralized governance mechanisms are designed to attract broader participation and accelerate research outcomes.

Bio Protocol’s CEO, Paul Kohlhaas, compared the platform’s impact to that of digital publishing, which allowed creators to bypass traditional media gatekeepers. Similarly, Bio Protocol aims to enable scientists to monetize their research outside of the pharmaceutical industry’s traditional structures. This shift, Kohlhaas argued, could democratize access to scientific funding and make research more accessible to independent scientists and communities.

The platform’s native token, BIO, has seen growing traction among investors and researchers. As of the latest data, the BIO token trades at approximately $0.16, with a market capitalization of around $309 million. The token plays a central role in the platform’s governance and reward system, allowing users to stake tokens, earn BioXP points, and participate in decision-making processes. This tokenization model not only incentivizes long-term participation but also aligns interests across the ecosystem.

The $6.9 million seed round is expected to fuel further development of Bio Protocol’s AI and blockchain infrastructure. The funding will support the expansion of Bio V2 and the creation of new BioAgents across multiple scientific domains, including dermatology, microbiome health, and brain health. With its growing network of decentralized AI “science machines,” Bio Protocol aims to reshape the future of medical research by enabling faster, more transparent, and community-driven discovery.