Insilico Medicine Signs $120 Million AI-Driven Cardiometabolic Drug Pact With Qilu Pharma

New updates have been reported about Insilico Medicine.

Insilico Medicine has expanded its AI-driven drug development business through a strategic collaboration with Qilu Pharmaceutical Group worth up to approximately $120 million, centered on novel small-molecule therapies for cardiometabolic diseases. Under the agreement, Insilico will deploy its proprietary Pharma.AI platform to design and optimize new small-molecule inhibitors for metabolic and cardiometabolic indications, while Qilu will assume responsibility for later-stage development and commercialization. The deal economics include development and commercial milestones plus single-digit royalties on net sales, reinforcing Insilico’s hybrid model of internal pipeline development, software licensing, and out-licensing of AI-generated assets. This partnership builds on Qilu’s earlier adoption of Insilico’s PandaOmics platform in 2021 and signals a shift from pure software licensing to deeper, revenue-linked R&D collaboration for Insilico.

Insilico’s CEO Alex Zhavoronkov framed the transaction as a key step in scaling the company’s cardiometabolic portfolio, which now comprises eight AI-generated candidates from early discovery through IND-enabling stages, and as a proof point that generative AI can accelerate therapies with potential for large-scale healthspan extension. The Qilu deal adds to a growing roster of large pharma relationships underpinning Insilico’s financial and strategic trajectory, including software agreements with 13 of the world’s top 20 pharma companies, major discovery alliances with Fosun Pharma and Sanofi, and pipeline out-licensing deals with Exelixis and Menarini that collectively exceed $2 billion in headline value. Insilico reports that its Pharma.AI platform has generated more than 30 assets and 22 nominated development candidates, with its lead program, Rentosertib, showing positive Phase IIa data as a clinical proof-of-concept for AI-designed drugs. Following its December 30, 2025 listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (03696.HK), this new collaboration strengthens Insilico’s post-IPO revenue visibility, diversifies its cardiometabolic pipeline risk through a partnered structure, and further validates the commercial scalability of its AI platform across high-burden disease areas.