Colossal, a startup that "resurrects" extinct species, announced the birth of three dire wolves for the first time in 12,000 years

Colossal Biosciences, a US biotech startup valued at $10.2 billion, announced a new breakthrough in its ambitious mission to revive extinct animals. The company said that for the first time in more than 12,000 years, three dire wolves (Aenocyon dirus) - a species popularized by the TV series Game of Thrones - were born, Bloomberg reports.

Dallas-based Colossal first gained fame in 2022 when it announced its intention to bring back the woolly mammoth — though so far it has only succeeded in creating a “mammoth mouse.” The company positions its genome-editing technology not only as a means of resurrecting prehistoric animals, but also as a platform for advancing medicine and preserving biodiversity.

According to Colossal, the newborn wolves were named Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi — after the character from Game of Thrones. The puppies live in a closed nature reserve in the United States and eat a mixture of beef, venison, horse meat, and specially formulated food. According to the company, the brothers are already 20-25% larger than their modern relatives — gray wolves — and can reach a weight of 140 kg as adults.

"If we are successful in de-extinction, we’re building technologies that can help human health care and conservation," said CEO Ben Lamm. "Just that piece of the larger system is worth billions of dollars."

The company has raised $435 million in investment from notable figures including director Peter Jackson, CIA-founded investment firm IQT, Tony Robbins and Paris Hilton. In January, it raised a funding round led by TWG Global, led by billionaire Thomas Tull, which raised its valuation to more than $10 billion.

Despite skepticism from scientists and ethical questions, the project is gaining traction. Critics warn that reviving extinct species could have unintended ecological consequences, but investors seem willing to wait for the long-term payoff.

To create the dire wolves, the Colossal team used DNA samples from a 72,000-year-old skull found in Idaho and a 13,000-year-old tooth from Ohio. After sequencing the genome, the scientists made 20 key edits to the cells of a modern gray wolf to give them characteristics of their extinct relative: large size, strong muscles, and light fur. The edited cells were implanted into the eggs of domestic dogs, which were then transplanted into surrogate mothers.

Additionally, Colossal announced the successful cloning of two litters of red wolves — one of the world’s most endangered species — using a new method of non-invasive blood cloning. The pups have been named Hope, Blaze, Cinder, and Ash.

When the first dire wolf was born, the company's chief animal technician, Matt James, recalls: "I picked him up and rubbed him between two towels to coax out his first breath. And I thought, 'Good lord, this thing is huge.' I can’t believe we’re holding the first dire wolf in 12,000 years."

Colossal's next public presentation is expected later this year, where the company will provide an update on its woolly mammoth and dodo revival programs.