Insilico, SK Biopharm Sign AI Drug Discovery Deal Worth Up to $2.5 Billion

Insilico Medicine and SK Biopharmaceuticals have signed an artificial intelligence-powered drug discovery agreement worth up to $2.5 billion to develop treatments for neuroimmune disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS).

Under the agreement, Insilico will use its Pharma.AI platform to identify and optimize drug candidates, while SK Biopharmaceuticals will oversee clinical development, regulatory activities, and commercialization efforts. The companies said the collaboration will focus on neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative, and rare neurological diseases.

The transaction includes $18 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, with the remaining value tied to future development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. The companies said the deal is Insilico's largest partnership with an Asia-Pacific company by total potential value.

Expansion Beyond Epilepsy

Donghoon Lee, President and CEO of SK Biopharmaceuticals, said the partnership supports the company's plans to expand beyond its epilepsy business into additional CNS therapeutic areas.