Top scientist stole trade secrets from startup that wants to bring back extinct species: bombshell suit

Colossal Biosciences is suing former senior scientist James Kehler, alleging he took confidential research and shared it with competing laboratories after leaving the company. The case matters because Colossal says its scientific data is central to its efforts to revive extinct species and that disclosure could give rivals a major advantage.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Austin, Texas, alleges that files were copied from Kehler’s work laptop to personal accounts and devices before he left. Colossal says Kehler joined rival Neion Bio in April 2026 and was also linked to Felix Pets; he has not immediately commented. The company, which has raised at least $435 million and was valued at $10.2 billion after a 2025 funding round, is pursuing work on the woolly mammoth, dodo, thylacine and dire wolf.