"Decentralized Science Unlocks $6.9M to Redefine Global Biotech Innovation"

Bio Protocol, a decentralized science (DeSci) platform integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to advance biotechnology research, has raised $6.9 million in a funding round led by Maelstrom Fund. Participating investors included Mechanism Capital, Animoca Brands, Presto Labs, and others. The capital will support the development of AI-driven tools and blockchain-based infrastructure to accelerate scientific discovery and funding processes. This milestone underscores the growing momentum in the DeSci sector, where decentralized platforms aim to democratize scientific research by enabling global collaboration and transparent funding mechanisms.

The funding announcement coincided with the launch of Bio Protocol’s upgraded platform, Bio V2. This version introduces on-chain fundraising mechanisms, decentralized AI frameworks, and new incentive structures to enhance research coordination and efficiency. Key features include Ignition Sales, a model for low-cap, high-velocity fundraising for decentralized scientific AI agents (BioAgents) and tokenized intellectual property (IP); BioXP, a loyalty and incentive system rewarding contributions to the network; and staking mechanisms that align long-term support with participatory rights in resulting IP. These innovations aim to lower barriers for early-stage researchers and foster a more dynamic and inclusive biotech ecosystem.

Central to Bio Protocol’s strategy are its BioAgents—decentralized AI agents designed to automate scientific processes, generate hypotheses, and fund research through blockchain-based mechanisms. The first BioAgent, Aubrai, launched in late August 2025 in collaboration with VitaDAO and longevity researcher Dr. Aubrey de Grey. Within weeks, Aubrai had generated over $900,000 in research funding, minted more than 1,000 blockchain-verified hypotheses, and enabled immediate lab testing via agent-managed workflows. The success of Aubrai highlights the potential of AI and blockchain in accelerating scientific discovery, reducing costs, and streamlining collaboration across global research communities.

Bio Protocol’s approach extends beyond AI and blockchain by addressing traditional bottlenecks in biotech research. The platform integrates on-chain prediction markets, credit markets, and agent-to-agent communication to enhance research efficiency and reduce reliance on centralized institutions. By tokenizing IP and enabling decentralized governance through DAOs, Bio Protocol fosters a transparent and community-driven model for scientific funding. This aligns with broader trends in DeSci, where blockchain technology is redefining how research is financed, conducted, and commercialized.

Notably, the Bio Protocol ecosystem has already funded several projects advancing toward clinical trials. These include the VITA-FAST longevity program, VitaRNA, and Percepta (CLAW), a brain health supplement entering human studies. Curetopia (CURES), a rare disease program addressing 40 inherited metabolic disorders, is also progressing through pilot studies and IP filings. These developments illustrate how decentralized funding and coordination can bring overlooked innovations to clinical stages significantly faster and at lower costs than traditional biotech models. Since 2024, Bio Protocol’s network has directed over $50 million in research funding to scientists globally, offering a scalable alternative amid widespread cuts to institutional funding.

The strategic investment in Bio Protocol reflects the increasing recognition of DeSci’s potential to disrupt traditional research models. Binance Labs, the venture capital arm of Binance, has joined the growing list of investors backing the platform. This marks Binance Labs’ first foray into the DeSci sector and aligns with its broader mission to support blockchain-driven innovation with real-world impact. The investment will accelerate the growth of BioDAOs, decentralized incubators that bring together scientists, patients, and investors to co-develop biotech projects. With this support, Bio Protocol aims to expand its global research networks and further integrate AI and blockchain into mainstream scientific infrastructure.

Bio Protocol’s founder and CEO, Paul Kohlhaas, emphasized the transformative potential of the platform. He noted that by unifying AI, biotech, and crypto in a decentralized framework, researchers and citizen scientists can collaborate more efficiently, reducing drug development timelines from decades to months. Arthur Hayes, founder of Maelstrom Fund, described Bio Protocol as a potential “category-defining launchpad” for community-driven scientific research, suggesting its success could signal the birth of an AI-native research market.