Michael Polansky, fiancé of Lady Gaga, is spearheading an ambitious venture at the intersection of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. His Massachusetts-based company, Outer Bio, collects data from real human skin to train AI models, aiming to discover new bioactive substances that could revolutionize cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
The Technology Behind Tissue Preservation
One of the primary obstacles in dermatological research is the limited lifespan of human tissue outside the body. To address this, Outer Bio developed the Yuna system in 2022. This technology utilizes a 3D-printed structure that supplies nutrients to the tissue and removes waste, allowing human skin to remain viable and under observation for up to four weeks.
The skin samples are sourced from donations of surplus tissue following surgical procedures. The team processes these samples internally, converting a single piece of tissue into dozens of smaller samples for experiments focusing on aging, inflammation, and skin barrier function.
Predictive AI and Business Strategy
Contrary to the current trend of Generative AI, Polansky clarifies that Outer Bio focuses on Predictive AI. The models are trained to forecast which molecules will have beneficial or toxic effects, with accuracy continuously improving through experimental feedback loops.
- Lady Gaga serves on the company's board of directors.
- Outer Bio operates primarily as a data-first company.
- A close collaboration is already underway with the beauty brand Haus Labs.
The company's objective is not retail sales, but rather the development of active ingredients to be integrated into third-party products, accelerating the application of machine learning in biology.
