Reid Hoffman is shifting gears. After nearly a decade on Microsoft’s board, he’s stepping down to dive headfirst into his newest passion: AI-powered drug discovery. This move signals a thrilling chapter for AI and healthcare. Why now? Because Manus, his startup, is racing to crack the code on cancer-fighting compounds using AI that outthinks human creativity.

From LinkedIn to AI Pioneer

Few have shaped tech like Hoffman. He built LinkedIn from scratch and sold it to Microsoft for a staggering $27 billion in 2016. That deal landed him on Microsoft’s board, where he witnessed some of the company’s most game-changing AI moves. Microsoft’s billion-dollar bet on OpenAI in 2019 reshaped the entire industry, and Hoffman was there. He was an original OpenAI backer and board member until 2023, stepping down to avoid conflicts.

He also co-founded Inflection AI, an ambitious AI startup. Microsoft’s $650 million acqui-hire of Inflection brought key talent, including Mustafa Suleyman, into the fold. Suleyman now leads Microsoft’s AI efforts focused on superintelligence. These moves tied Hoffman even closer to Microsoft’s AI ecosystem—but also heightened conflicts of interest.

Founder Mode: The Manus Mission

Now Hoffman is flipping the script. He’s leaving the board to go “founder mode” with Manus. This isn’t just another AI startup. Manus aims to revolutionize drug discovery by using AI to design new molecules that fight cancer. It’s a biotech meets AI powerhouse backed by over $50 million in funding from top investors like General Catalyst.

Leading Manus as CEO is Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, a physician, biologist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Emperor of All Maladies.” Hoffman holds the co-founder and chairman roles but plans to get hands-on with the company’s AI breakthroughs.

Hoffman talks about “Move 37” AI—a nod to a legendary moment in AI history where AlphaGo made a move that stunned human players. For Manus, this means AI that outperforms human creativity in chemistry. It’s about discovering novel compounds that humans alone might never imagine.

Why AI Drug Discovery Matters Now

The AI drug discovery race is heating up fast. Big players are entering the ring. ByteDance’s Anew Labs just unveiled its first AI-designed therapy. Google’s DeepMind-backed Isomorphic Labs is pushing AI-designed drug candidates into clinical trials. Manus is right in the thick of it, aiming to crack complex diseases with AI’s unprecedented power.

AI accelerates research by analyzing vast chemical spaces and biological data. It spots patterns and possibilities faster than any lab team ever could. Manus is betting on this speed and creative AI to transform how we fight cancer and other diseases.

• Manus raised over $50 million across two seed funding rounds
• Hoffman joins as co-founder and chairman, ready to roll up his sleeves
• Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee leads as CEO, bringing medical and scientific gravitas
• Focus on “Move 37” AI—AI surpassing human creativity in drug design
• Positioned amid a surge in AI drug discovery startups worldwide

The Road Ahead for Hoffman and Manus

Hoffman’s departure from Microsoft closes a monumental chapter but opens an electrifying new one. His experience from LinkedIn, OpenAI, and Inflection AI converges at Manus. This startup isn’t just about AI or biotech. It’s about redefining the future of medicine. Hoffman’s move signals a growing trend: tech leaders putting founder hats back on to tackle humanity’s biggest challenges.

Manus is still early stage, but its vision is bold. If AI can truly unlock new drugs faster, cheaper, and smarter, it could reshape healthcare as we know it. Hoffman is betting big on that future. And with AI’s creative leaps, Manus might just pull off a “Move 37” of its own.

The AI healthcare revolution is accelerating. Hoffman is leading the charge. Will Manus be the startup that changes the game? The countdown has begun.