Insilico and Qilu partner to create generative AI cardiometabolic drugs

Insilico Medicine, a clinical-stage biotechnology company powered by generative artificial intelligence, has entered a strategic partnership with Qilu Pharmaceutical Group and its subsidiary Shanghai Qilu Pharmaceutical Research Center to accelerate the development of new therapies for cardiometabolic diseases. 

The collaboration will focus on the discovery and development of small molecule inhibitors using Insilico’s proprietary Pharma.AI platform, targeting specific pathways involved in metabolic disorders. Cardiometabolic diseases represent a growing global health challenge, including conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. 

“I believe that strategies targeting cardiometabolic diseases have the potential to generate the first drugs to achieve large-scale health span extension and I look forward to AI technology accelerating innovation in the field and maximising potential,” said Dr Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Business Officer of Insilico Medicine. 

AI-led discovery and commercialisation framework 

Under the terms of the agreement, Insilico Medicine will apply its Pharma.AI platform to the design and optimisation of novel small molecules, while Qilu Pharmaceutical Group will oversee subsequent development and commercialisation. The total contract value is close to $120 million, including development and commercialisation milestone payments alongside single-digit royalties based on net sales. 

The partnership also deepens the existing relationship between the two companies, which previously centred on software licensing. It now progresses into full-scale R&D collaboration aimed at delivering new treatment options to patients worldwide. 

“As a leading pharmaceutical company in China, Qilu has always attached great importance to the quick advancement of AI technology, in particular, the application of AI in drug R&D and its potential. Insilico is a well-known biotech in AI-powered drug R&D with advanced AI technology and application capabilities,” said Dr Weikang Tao, Board Member, Group VP & Head of Global R&D at Qilu Pharmaceutical Group. “This collaboration marks a deepening of our partnership, evolving from initial software licensing to in-depth, R&D collaboration.” 

Leveraging Insilico’s proprietary Pharma.AI platform to jointly develop small molecule inhibitors, focusing on specific targets for cardiometabolic disease management. Credit: Insilico Medicine.

A proven AI platform and expanding portfolio 

Insilico Medicine has continued to validate its diversified business model through drug discovery, software licensing and pipeline partnerships. The company has secured software licensing agreements with 13 of the world’s top 20 multinational pharmaceutical companies and established major research collaborations with Fosun Pharma and Sanofi. It has also completed pipeline out-licensing deals with Exelixis and Menarini Group, with total transaction values exceeding $2 billion. 

Since first introducing the concept of generative AI-designed molecules in a peer-reviewed journal in 2016, Insilico has steadily advanced its Pharma.AI platform. Today, the platform supports biology, chemistry, medicine development and scientific research, with 22 developmental and preclinical candidates nominated since 2021. Its most advanced asset, Rentosertib, has reported positive Phase IIa results, marking a milestone for AI-driven drug development in the clinical stage. 

Recently, Insilico Medicine also announced its proprietary cardiometabolic portfolio at the BIO-Europe conference, covering 8 drug candidates ranging from hit to IND-enabling stage, all driven by Pharma.AI.  

What’s next? 

This partnership between Insilico Medicine and Qilu Pharmaceutical highlights the importance of generative AI techniques in drug discovery and development. By combining Insilico’s advanced AI platform with Qilu’s extensive R&D and commercial expertise, the collaboration could accelerate the development of novel therapies for cardiometabolic diseases and address unmet medical needs. Looking ahead, both companies plan to advance the most promising candidates through preclinical and clinical stages, with the potential to deliver breakthrough treatments to patients.

To understand what developments like this mean for the wider adoption of AI in drug discovery, join our upcoming expert roundtable.