How AI is shortening drug discovery timelines in China

Insilico Medicine has reduced the time needed to produce some drug development candidates to about one year by combining artificial intelligence with laboratory research in China, according to CEO Alex Zhavoronkov.

The Hong Kong-listed company’s fastest programme reached candidate nomination in nine months, while its typical timeline is about 13 months, Zhavoronkov said. He said conventional approaches usually take about four-and-a-half years to reach the same stage.

The timeline covers early discovery and candidate selection, rather than the full process of bringing a drug to market. Clinical trials, manufacturing, and regulatory review remain separate stages.

AI shortens candidate selection

Insilico uses generative AI to identify biological targets, design potential drug molecules, and assess which compounds should advance to laboratory testing.

The company said its programmes typically reach preclinical-candidate nomination within 12 to 18 months after researchers synthesise and test between 60 and 200 molecules. Its workflow combines AI-generated designs with resea...