Prime Highlights:
- Insilico Medicine and Qilu Pharmaceutical join forces to develop innovative therapies for cardiometabolic diseases.
- The collaboration combines Insilico’s drug design expertise with Qilu’s R&D and commercialization capabilities.
Key Facts:
- The partnership is valued at nearly $120 million, including milestone payments and royalties.
- Qilu Pharmaceutical began using Insilico’s research platform in 2021, paving the way for this expanded collaboration.
Background:
Insilico Medicine, a biotechnology company, and Qilu Pharmaceutical Group, a leading Chinese pharma company, along with its subsidiary Shanghai Qilu Pharmaceutical Research Center, have announced a partnership to develop new treatments for heart and metabolic diseases. Insilico will focus on creating and improving small molecule drugs, while Qilu will manage their development and sales.
The agreement, valued at nearly $120 million, includes milestone payments tied to development and sales, as well as royalties. Insilico will concentrate on creating new compounds for metabolic disorders, while Qilu will use its extensive research and development expertise to advance these candidates through clinical stages.
Weikang Tao, PhD, Board Member and Group Vice President of Qilu Pharmaceutical Group, said, “As a leading pharmaceutical company in China, Qilu has always valued the rapid advancement of technology in drug research. “Insilico’s expertise in drug discovery complements our capabilities, allowing us to address unmet medical needs and bring new treatments to patients worldwide,” said Weikang Tao, PhD, Board Member and Group VP of Qilu Pharmaceutical.
Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, added, “This collaboration strengthens our commitment to developing therapies for cardiometabolic diseases. “By combining Qilu’s research experience with our approach, we can speed up drug development and provide better treatment options,” said Insilico Medicine.
Insilico Medicine has a strong record in drug development, having nominated 22 drug candidates since 2021. Its top candidate, Rentosertib, showed positive results in Phase IIa clinical trials. The collaboration aims to develop new treatments for metabolic diseases more efficiently and meet global healthcare needs.
