#United States #Cambridge #oncology #Insilico Medicine #Halle Zhang

Insilico Medicine Appoints Dr. Halle Zhang as Vice President of Clinical Development for Oncology

On February 6, 2026, Insilico Medicine, a biotechnology firm pioneering in the deployment of generative artificial intelligence (AI) for drug development, announced the appointment of Dr. Halle Zhang, PhD (Med), as its new Vice President of Clinical Development, specializing in oncology. This strategic move is expected to enhance Insilico's efforts in developing innovative oncology therapies, as Dr. Zhang will oversee and direct the clinical development strategies for their oncology portfolio.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Zhang will work under the guidance of Feng Ren, Co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer. Her responsibilities will encompass leading both early and late-stage clinical programs across a range of tumor types. Furthermore, she will play a crucial role in broader planning within the company, ensuring collaboration between discovery, biomarker research, regulatory affairs, and clinical operations to expedite the delivery of patient-centered therapies.

Dr. Zhang brings with her over 20 years of rich experience in oncology clinical development that spans across academia, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining Insilico, she excelled at Bristol Myers Squibb as the Global Clinical Development Program Leader focusing on late-stage oncology. In this capacity, she effectively managed global development strategy across numerous solid tumor types, including lung, breast, gastric, and colorectal cancers.

Her diverse professional background includes deep involvement with various therapeutic modalities, including immuno-oncology approaches and antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). Dr. Zhang has led substantial clinical programs from early trials to pivotal registrational studies. She has proven her adeptness at working alongside global regulatory bodies to refine development strategies and integrate translational science into clinical planning.

In addition to her tenure at Bristol Myers Squibb, Dr. Zhang has held senior leadership roles at Infinity Pharmaceuticals and BioMed Valley Discoveries. Her career began in the academic realm, particularly at Harvard Medical School, where she directed several NIH-sponsored clinical trials. She holds a PhD in Medicine, an MSc in Immunology and Microbiology from the University of Birmingham, and a BSc in Nursing from the University of Portsmouth.

Commenting on her new role, Dr. Zhang expressed her enthusiasm for joining Insilico at a pivotal time. She highlighted the company's unique AI-driven platform and science-first culture as instrumental in rethinking how oncology drugs are discovered and developed.

Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, lauded Dr. Zhang's exceptional expertise, stating, “Her proven leadership will be crucial as we expand our AI-driven pipeline, aiming to translate innovative science into significant clinical outcomes.”

Insilico Medicine has made remarkable progress over the past year, with oncology pipelines advancing efficiently to clinical testing. Notable achievements include the recent commencement of Phase I clinical trials for ISM6331, a novel pan-TEAD inhibitor, and ISM3412, a promising MAT2A inhibitor. Both developmental programs are set to assess the safety and early efficacy of these targeted therapies in multiple cancer settings.

Collaborative initiatives are also at the forefront of Insilico’s oncology efforts. Recently, the company formed a multi-program partnership with Servier, valued up to $888 million, to utilize its AI platform in developing first-in-class cancer therapies. Additionally, partnerships with the Menarini Group have already yielded substantial financial milestones following successful patient dosing in their clinical trials.

By harnessing cutting-edge AI and automated technologies, Insilico Medicine is revolutionizing the efficiency of preclinical drug development. Traditionally, early-stage drug discovery might take three to six years, but from 2021 to 2024, Insilico achieved an average of just 12 to 18 months to nominate preclinical candidates, setting a new standard in the industry.

In conclusion, Insilico Medicine's strategic hiring of Dr. Halle Zhang not only signifies the company’s commitment to oncology but also reflects a promising future for cancer patients as it drives forward its innovative, AI-powered approaches to drug discovery. As Dr. Zhang and her team work diligently to develop therapies that meet significant unmet medical needs, the landscape of oncology could be on the cusp of transformative change.

For more information, visit Insilico Medicine.