image: At the BIO International Convention 2026, clinical-stage generative AI drug discovery company Insilico Medicine announced a record-breaking $2.5 billion global R&D collaboration with SK Biopharmaceuticals to develop central nervous system treatments, alongside driving extensive thought leadership across five featured presentations.
Credit: Insilico Medicine
CAMBRIDGE, MA — June 26, 2026 — Insilico Medicine (“Insilico”), a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, today announced the successful conclusion of its high-impact participation at the BIO International Convention (BIO 2026) in San Diego. Marking one of the most prolific weeks in the company’s history, Insilico kicked off the event by signing a record-breaking $2.5 billion global R&D collaboration and maintained momentum through extensive partnering discussions and a sweeping presence across multiple high-profile speaking tracks.
The $2.5 Billion Headline: A Landmark Neuroimmune Alliance with SK Biopharmaceuticals
Setting the tone for the entire convention, Insilico announced a definitive research and development collaboration with SK Biopharmaceuticals at the opening of BIO 2026. This strategic alliance aims to discover AI-enabled, innovative drug candidates for neuroimmune disorders within the central nervous system (CNS), covering neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative, and rare neurological indications.
Key Financial & Operational Highlights of the Deal:
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Total Deal Value: Exceeds $2.5 billion in potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, making it Insilico’s largest partnership with an APAC-based collaborator to date.
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Upfront Commitments: Insilico is eligible to receive up to $18 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, followed by single-digit royalties on net sales.
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The Workflow: Insilico will utilize its proprietary Pharma.AI platform—spanning target validation, generative chemistry, and molecule optimization—to drive target-to-candidate discovery. SK Biopharmaceuticals will steer late-stage clinical development and global commercialization, leveraging its proven U.S. infrastructure.
“We are delighted to announce this great news at the 2026 BIO International Convention, which underscores the tremendous power of industry communication and collaboration in accelerating progress in healthcare,” said Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, founder, co-CEO, and CBO of Insilico Medicine. “SK Biopharmaceuticals is a visionary partner, merging global leadership and commercialization expertise with a forward-thinking embrace of AI.”
Unrivaled Thought Leadership: Driving the Narrative Across Five Featured Presentations
Insilico’s executive team demonstrated the deep breadth of the company’s scientific and commercial expertise, taking center stage across several critical panels and roundtables to address everything from quantum technology to geopolitical business development landscapes.
Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov’s Keynote Presence
Dr. Zhavoronkov was invited to deliver four featured speeches showcasing Insilico’s latest breakthroughs in generative AI, quantum-enabled research, and smarter pipeline building:
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Australian Government AI in Drug Development Industry Roundtable: Navigating global policy and AI integration.
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ADCs, GLP-1s, and Beyond: How China is Impacting the 2026 BD Landscape: A deep dive into macro business development trends.
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Quantum Computing in Drug Discovery: Exploring the convergence of next-generation hardware and generative biology.
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Strategic Innovation: Building Smarter Pipelines for Challenging Targets: A masterclass in maximizing clinical asset success rates.
Global Business and Ecosystem Alignment
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Dr. Jue Wang (Global Head of Business Development): Featured on the prominent BIO panel, "Racing to Cures: the U.S.-China Biomedical Competitiveness Scorecard," where she shared insights on navigating complex cross-border licensing and R&D strategies, hot off the heels of Insilico's multi-billion dollar out-licensing momentum in early 2026.
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Dr. Frank Pun (Head of Insilico Medicine Great Bay Area): Concurrently expanded the company's message at a synchronized global ecosystem event—the Global Women’s Health Capital & Industry Summit—presenting "AI-Driven Drug Discovery for Unmet Needs in Women's Health," highlighting how the Pharma.AI engine is being deployed to close gaps in reproductive health and oncology.
Maximizing Partnering Opportunities
Throughout the four-day convention, Insilico’s business development and scientific teams engaged in non-stop, high-density networking. The team advanced discussions with dozens of existing partners while forging foundational relationships with new biotech and multinational pharmaceutical players.
The core point of interest for partners was Insilico's proven execution track record. While traditional early-stage discovery takes up to 4 years, Insilico’s Pharma.AI platform consistently slashes target-to-preclinical candidate (PCC) timelines down to an average of 12 to 18 months.
To date, Insilico Medicine has nominated 31 PCCs since 2021, with 13 of those assets having received IND approval or clearance. Insilico’s current pipeline consists of over 40 innovative and accelerated candidates across many therapeutic areas including oncology, fibrosis, and metabolic diseases.
The massive reception at BIO 2026 solidifies Insilico Medicine’s transition from an AI pioneer into an indispensable, commercial-stage powerhouse redefining the boundaries of modern medicine.
About Insilico Medicine
Insilico Medicine is a pioneering global clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to integrating generative artificial intelligence and automation technologies to accelerate drug discovery. By utilizing its advanced end-to-end Pharma.AI platform across biology, chemistry, and clinical development, Insilico has built a robust pipeline of self-generated and partnered programs targeting fibrosis, oncology, immunology, and metabolic disorders, aiming to bring next-generation therapies to patients globally.