image: When initiating the collaboration, Fosun Pharma proposed four targets of interest, and the target of the PCC nominated in this program is one of them and plays a critical role in DNA damage repair mechanisms.
Credit: Insilico Medicine
Insilico Medicine(“Insilico”), a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, has successfully delivered the second preclinical candidate compound (PCC) in its collaboration with Fosun Pharma in June 2024, a potential innovative therapeutic using synthetic lethal strategy for the treatment of solid tumors. Insilico expects to submit the pre-IND application for this candidate with the CDE in 2024 Q4.
When initiating the collaboration, Fosun Pharma proposed four targets of interest, and the target of the PCC nominated in this program is one of them and plays a critical role in DNA damage repair mechanisms. Insilico’s R&D team fully analyzed and validated the target through PandaOmics, an AI target identification engine, in combination with Life Star 1, an AI-driven robotics lab. Then, scientists utilized Chemistry42, a generative chemistry engine, to generate and design compounds from scratch for the specified target.
In preclinical studies, the candidate demonstrated good selectivity, robust anti-tumor efficacy as well as promising ADMET properties. The preclinical data of this program has been recognized by Fosun Pharma and meets both parties’ criteria for PCC nomination. Insilico will advance the candidate to the IND-enabling stage and then Fosun Pharma will take over for further research and exploration.
“We are delighted to deliver the PCC milestone of this program to Fosun Pharma with the support of Insilico’s proprietary AI platform,” said Feng Ren, PhD, co-CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer of Insilico Medicine, “Candidates targeting DNA repair mechanisms play an increasingly important role in tumor therapy. I am impressed by our partner’s vision and positive endorsement of AI-driven drug discovery. In partnering with Fosun Pharma, Insilico aims to take AI-driven drug discovery to the next level for the benefit of patients worldwide.”
“AI, as a revolutionary tool for discovering innovative drugs, is continuously deepening and expanding its innovation empowerment in the medical field. We are excited to mark the significant milestone of PCC nomination, it’s an innovative therapy potentially treating solid tumors through synthetic lethal strategy. We look forward to achieving more inspiring outcomes in the collaboration with Insilico Medicine,” says Xingli Wang, MD, PhD, CEO of Global R&D Center, and Executive President of Fosun Pharma. “As an innovation-driven pharmaceutical company, Fosun Pharma strives to address unmet medical needs and enhance patient accessibility to safe and effective drugs through continuous innovation and joint efforts with our partners.”
In January 2022, Insilico Medicine announced a strategic collaboration with Fosun Pharma to proceed generative AI-driven drug discovery programs globally. Just one month after the collaboration, Insilico delivered the first PCC for QPCTL program, which is conducting a Phase I clinical trial in China and recently completed the first-in-patient dose for the treatment of advanced malignant tumors.
Founded in 2014, Insilico Medicine is a pioneer in using generative AI for drug discovery and development. Insilico first described the concept of using generative AI for the design of novel molecules in a peer-reviewed journal in 2016, which laid the foundation for the commercially available Pharma.AI platform spanning across biology, chemistry and clinical development. Powered by Pharma.AI, Insilico has nominated 18 preclinical candidates in its comprehensive portfolio of over 30 assets since 2021, and has received IND approval for 7 molecules. Recently, the company published a paper in Nature Biotechnology presenting the entire R&D journey of its lead drug pipeline, INS018_055, from AI algorithms to Phase II clinical trials.
About Insilico Medicine
Insilico Medicine, a global clinical stage biotechnology company powered by generative AI, is connecting biology, chemistry and clinical trials analysis using next-generation AI systems. The company has developed AI platforms that utilize deep generative models, reinforcement learning, transformers and other modern machine learning techniques for novel target discovery and the generation of novel molecular structures with desired properties. Insilico Medicine is developing breakthrough solutions to discover and develop innovative drugs for cancer, fibrosis, immunity, central nervous system diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and aging-related diseases. www.insilico.com
About Fosun Pharma
Founded in 1994, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd.* ("Fosun Pharma"; stock code: 600196. SH, 02196. HK) is a global innovation-driven pharmaceutical and healthcare industry group. Fosun Pharma directly operates businesses including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical diagnosis, and healthcare services. As a shareholder of Sinopharm Co., Ltd., Fosun Pharma expands its areas in the pharmaceutical distribution and retail business.
Fosun Pharma is patient-centered and clinical needs-oriented. The company continuously enriches its innovative product pipeline through independent research and development, cooperative development, license-in, and in-depth incubation. Fosun Pharma improves the research and clinical development capabilities of FIC (First-in-class) and BIC (Best-in-class) new drugs as well as accelerates the R&D and launch of innovative technologies and products. Fosun Pharma’s innovative products mainly covered core therapeutic areas such as tumors (solid tumors and hematologic tumors), immunology, central nervous system, and chronic diseases (liver disease/metabolism/kidney disease).
Guided by the 4IN strategy (Innovation, Internationalization, Intelligentization, and Integration), Fosun Pharma will uphold the development model of “Innovation Transformation, Integrated Operation and Steady Growth", with the mission of creating shareholder values through strengthening its independent R&D and external cooperation and enriching its product pipelines, as well as promoting the global networks and enhancing operational efficiency. Fosun Pharma will actively promote key business and rapidly enhance operational and asset efficiency, and is committed to becoming a first-class enterprise in the global major pharmaceutical and healthcare market.
For more information, please visit our official website: www.fosunpharma.com