Startup pursues Palmer Luckey’s vision of genetically enhanced military dogs

A startup aiming to supply genetically enhanced working dogs to the United States military and law enforcement raised US$200 million to deliver on plans conceived by Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Anduril Industries Inc., and biotech entrepreneur Ben Lamm.

Texas-based Warhound has backing from investors including In-Q-Tel Inc., Sequoia Capital and ARK Investment Management LLC, the company said in a statement Thursday. Warhound intends to use innovations in genetics, cloning and biology to enhance the quality of working animals and reduce dependence on Europe, currently the source of 80 per cent of U.S. military dogs, it said.

“They detect explosives, protect our troops, and run toward dangers that most people are trained to run away from,” said Lamm, chief executive of Colossal Biosciences Inc. “Yet we’re still relying on outdated approaches to breeding and training these extraordinary animals.”

Lamm, who will serve on Warhound’s board, and Luckey developed the idea for a company to tackle reliance on overseas breeders and to address the fact that about half of candidate dogs fail military training, Warhound said. Luckey has no ongoing role or equity in the startup.

The U.S. has about 1,600 working military dogs and currently breeds about 13 per cent of canine recruits through a program at Joint Base San Antonio, according to the Department of Defense.

Warhound will use expertise from Colossal, which is working to recreate extinct animals including the dodo, to produce healthier dogs better suited to demanding missions, the company said. Dogs and handlers will be equipped with Anduril technology.

“Working dogs are extraordinary animals whose courage and loyalty save lives,” said Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Society, which will help guide the startup. “We owe these dogs a commitment to their well-being that matches their service to us.”