GSK to evaluate Insilico’s AI technology to enhance drug discovery process.

Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Insilico Medicine is an American biotechnology startup that uses AI research for drug discovery, aging research and biomarker development.

The collaboration to discover novel biological targets and molecules for GSK using AI has been formed after Insilico had successfully completed various pilot challenges.

GSK platform technology sciences senior vice president John Baldoni revealed that the company had established a drug discovery unit recently to investigate into how the rapidly developing AI field could accelerate drug discovery at greater precision and lowered cost.

Baldoni added: “The collaboration with Insilico represents one of several approaches we are exploring to take advantage of emerging technology that might make us more effective and efficient, always keeping in mind the patients who need new medicines.”

According to Insilico, GSK will assess the AI technology in the identification of novel biological targets and pathways of interest to the British pharma company during the first stage of the collaboration.

Insilico Medicine founder and CEO Alex Zhavoronkov said: “In our opinion, GSK is one of the most innovative science-led healthcare companies, which realized the potential of artificial intelligence technology early and has demonstrated its ability to partner with innovative startups in the field.

“We are delighted to collaborate with arguably, some of the world's best scientists on chronic diseases with unmet need.”

Insilico, which was founded in 2014, is headquartered at the Emerging Technology Centers located at the Johns Hopkins University Eastern campus. It also has research and development resources in Belgium, the UK and Russia.