Key points from article :
Medra is a new robotics and AI startup founded by first-time CEO and Stanford PhD Michelle Lee that aims to transform how scientific research is done by bringing advanced automation and artificial intelligence into laboratory work. After several years developing its technology in stealth, Medra has raised $11 million in early funding to build robots and software that can interact with typical lab equipment — reading screens, pushing buttons, and handling physical tasks that today require human technicians. The goal is to make automation more flexible and far-reaching than traditional lab robotics, which typically only work with a small subset of instruments.
Medra’s approach combines AI with robotics to expand the range of lab tasks that machines can perform autonomously. Rather than relying solely on pre-programmed sequences like conventional automation, the platform is being designed to adapt to new instruments and workflows, potentially letting AI-powered robots carry out a larger share of routine experiments and data collection. Early interest from biotech companies suggests the startup’s vision — of reducing manual labour and accelerating research — resonates with organisations looking to scale science more efficiently.
The company’s transition from stealth to public launch reflects a broader trend in which AI is no longer just a software tool for computational insights but is being integrated directly into experimental workflows. By automating both the physical and digital aspects of lab work, Medra hopes to shorten research timelines and free scientists to focus on higher-level problems, a move that could eventually reshape how discoveries in biology and medicine are made.
