Insilico Medicine has entered into a co-development agreement with Hengtai Biotech for ISM8969, a potential best-in-class NLRP3 inhibitor for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The candidate was discovered and optimised using Insilico's proprietary generative chemistry engine, Chemistry42. Under the agreement, Insilico is eligible for upfront and milestone payments totalling over HKD 500 million (USD 66 million), including an initial payment of HKD 78 million. The company will lead the investigational new drug (IND) application and Phase I trial, after which Hengtai Biotech will assume responsibility for subsequent clinical development and commercialisation.

This partnership continues Insilico's recent momentum in business development, following its USD 888 million collaboration with Servier announced earlier in January. It also deepens ties with the Fosun Pharma ecosystem, as Hengtai Biotech is an incubator company jointly supported by Shenzhen Pengfu Fund and Fosun Pharma. Insilico's business model combines AI platform licensing, internal pipeline development and out-licensing deals, with its pipeline expanding from fibrosis and oncology into metabolic and neurological diseases.

PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database lists a total of 10 deals involving NLRP3-targeted drugs. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.