#USA #Cambridge #oncology #Insilico Medicine #Servier

Insilico Medicine and Servier Unite for Groundbreaking Oncology Research

In an innovative move set to revolutionize drug discovery in oncology, Insilico Medicine has disclosed a significant multi-year partnership valued at up to $888 million with the independent pharmaceutical company, Servier. This collaboration aims to leverage Insilico's cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI)-driven platforms alongside Servier's extensive expertise in cancer drug development. The synergy between the two organizations is poised to not just enhance the efficiency of drug development but also to address critical unmet medical needs in oncology.

Under the terms of this collaborative agreement, Insilico will receive up to $32 million in upfront and near-term research and development payments. Insilico is tasked with utilizing its proprietary AI technology to identify and advance potential cancer drug candidates that meet specified scientific and development criteria. Meanwhile, Servier will share costs associated with research and development, taking the lead in conducting clinical validation, regulatory processes, and managing the global commercialization efforts of the resulting oncology drug candidates.

The strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in Servier’s commitment to merging advanced technologies with its pharmaceutical capabilities to cater to pressing healthcare challenges. Christophe Thurieau, Executive Director of Research at Servier, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership reaffirms our dedication to applying leading-edge technologies to meet the medical needs of patients.”

Excitement swells on both sides, especially for Insilico Medicine's founder and CEO, Alex Zhavoronkov, who states, “This collaboration showcases the prowess of our AI capabilities in drug development. The integration of generative AI throughout the pharmaceutical value chain sets the stage for breakthroughs that can lead to faster, more intelligent, and safer drug development processes.” The vision is expansive; Zhavoronkov anticipates a future where AI makes real-time decisions and designs experiments, ultimately fostering a cycle of innovation in the development of health solutions.

With a robust pipeline of oncology projects, Insilico has already made substantial progress in its AI-driven drug discovery and development in recent years. Notable candidates in their pipeline include two promising assets: the pan-TEAD inhibitor ISM6331 and the MAT2A inhibitor ISM3412, both presently undergoing Phase I clinical trials across multiple centers internationally. Furthermore, Insilico has also fully or partially licensed four additional oncology-focused projects to various partners, contributing to a diverse portfolio of Phase I clinical trials that are currently in progress.

Insilico’s accomplishments in enhancing drug development processes can be attributed to its integration of advanced AI technologies. Typically, traditional drug discovery spans an average of 4.5 years. However, Insilico has dramatically accelerated this timeline—between 2021 and 2024, the company successfully nominated 20 preclinical candidates, achieving this milestone in just 12 to 18 months per program. The efficiency is commendable; each program synthesized and tested between 60 to 200 molecules, reflecting a focused and pragmatic approach to drug development.

About Insilico Medicine

Insilico Medicine stands as a trailblazer in biotechnology, devoted to harnessing AI and automation technologies to expedite drug discovery. Founded with the goal of driving innovation in life sciences, the company aims to extend health longevity for individuals worldwide. Recently, Insilico was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) under the stock code 03696.HK, marking a new chapter in its journey towards making a significant impact in drug development.

Through its commitment to integrating AI and automation into healthcare solutions, Insilico Medicine is focused on addressing unmet medical needs across a multitude of conditions, including oncology, immunology, and metabolic disorders. Their AI platform, Pharma.AI, is not only transforming drug development but also impacting various sectors such as agriculture and veterinary medicine. For further information about their innovative solutions, please visit Insilico Medicine's website.