Colossal Biosciences Acquires Viagen Pets and Equine After Bringing Back Dire Wolves

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Cloning pets is possible, though it’s expensive. Now, the company responsible for bringing back the Dire Wolf – popularized by a famous fantasy show – is pushing the boundaries of science even further by buying the top company specializing in animal cloning.

Colossal Biosciences gained attention earlier this year for successfully reviving animals that had been extinct for 12,500 years. The animals – named Remus, Romulus, and their sister Khalessi – are doing well, and the company is growing. They recently expanded by purchasing Viagen Pets and Equine, the company known for cloning Paris Hilton’s dog.

Viagen Pets and Equine, a Texas company specializing in animal cloning, is now part of Colossal Biosciences. Viagen offers cloning and genetic preservation services for pets, horses, and endangered animals. While Viagen’s current team will stay in place, it will operate as a full subsidiary of Colossal Biosciences, marking Colossal’s first acquisition since it was founded in 2021.

Colossal is excited to announce the addition of Viagen, a global leader in animal cloning, to its group of companies. According to Ben Lamm, Viagen’s accomplishments are unmatched in the field.

Their exceptional skills and cloning technology are now recognized as the global benchmark. Because they apply these unique and closely-held technologies to help save endangered species, they are a vital partner in our work to bring species back from extinction and protect biodiversity worldwide.

After a 25-year career working with animal genetics, President Blake Russel will remain in charge. He explains that combining Viagen with Colossal, a leading de-extinction and biotechnology company, will allow them to grow significantly. By working together, they aim to speed up advancements in preserving genetic material, improving animal health, and helping endangered species recover, using techniques like biobanking and cloning on a much larger scale than before.

This animal cloning company is already popular with celebrities. They’ve cloned Paris Hilton’s dog, Diamond, resulting in two puppies named Diamond Baby and London, and they also cloned Barbra Streisand’s dog, Samantha. Plus, they have special access to and licensing for the cutting-edge cloning technology originally developed by the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh – the same institute famous for cloning Dolly the sheep.

I’m absolutely amazed by what this company has achieved! They’ve already cloned 15 different species, and not only that, but they’ve done things no one else has before – like with the Grevy’s zebra, which is pregnant now! They’ve also brought back the black-footed ferret and cloned Przewalski’s horse, as you can see in the photos. What’s even more impressive is they’ve perfected their process to have an 80% success rate with several species, and they’re actively working to preserve biodiversity by culturing and storing cells from over 40 different species, including those facing extinction. It’s truly incredible work!

Lord of the Rings’ Peter Jackson Shared His Confidence in Viagen

As a huge film fan, I’ve always been impressed with Peter Jackson – the guy directed a billion-dollar fantasy series and is still working on The Lord of the Rings! But I recently found out he’s also an investor in Colossal, and he was really excited about their latest acquisition. It’s cool to see someone with his creative vision also supporting innovative companies like Colossal.

I’m a big fan of Viagen and I’ve invested in Colossal because I truly believe their combined work – focusing on animal welfare, biobanking, and cloning – can do amazing things. It’s not just about helping people bring back their pets, though that’s wonderful too! It’s about tackling bigger issues, like saving endangered species. Honestly, I think these two companies together give us a real chance to protect the planet’s biodiversity. I’m especially excited about the work they’re doing with the giant moa – a bird that hasn’t been seen in New Zealand for over six hundred years!

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2025-11-04 17:07