Key points from article :
Insitro has partnered with Eli Lilly to advance its AI-driven drug discovery efforts, focusing on metabolic diseases such as fatty liver disease. The biotech startup has identified two genes linked to these conditions using machine learning and has designed gene-silencing siRNA molecules to target them. However, to deliver these treatments effectively into liver cells, Insitro needs a chemical conjugate called GalNAc, which it will have the option to license from Lilly. Additionally, the collaboration includes developing an antibody against a secreted target. Unlike traditional biotech-pharma deals, Insitro will lead clinical trials, while Lilly will receive milestone and royalty payments if the drugs succeed.
The siRNA drug programs are Insitro’s most advanced yet, with clinical trials expected to begin in 2026. The company’s AI approach has already helped uncover new genetic links to metabolic diseases, including a method to estimate liver fat levels in UK Biobank participants using bone density scans and blood molecules. By analysing data from hundreds of thousands of individuals, Insitro has identified novel genetic targets that might have been impossible to find with smaller datasets.
Despite raising $643 million and being a major player in AI-driven biology, Insitro remains cautious about overhyping AI’s role in drug discovery. The company recently published research on AI applications in cancer, ALS, and liver disease, but remains secretive about its specific gene discoveries, wary of competitors rushing to develop similar treatments. CEO Daphne Koller emphasizes that the company’s edge lies in identifying novel drug targets before others do, ensuring Insitro stays ahead in the competitive biotech landscape.
