The 2025 Nature Index Research Leaders rankings have been officially released. Leveraging sustained scientific breakthroughs at the intersection of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and automation, Insilico Medicine secured a position among the Top 100 global corporate institutions for biological sciences and natural sciences publications, and ranked 43rd among global corporate institutions in the USA across all-subject output.
Widely recognized as a key metric for evaluating research impact, the Nature Index is extensively used to assess academic output and innovation in the natural sciences worldwide. This year’s rankings track research contributions from January 1 to December 31, 2024, based on papers published in 145 select, high-quality peer reviewed journals, including Nature portfolio, Science, Cell etc.
During this period, Insilico released 55 publications. The company’s remarkable rise in the ranking was driven by two studies published in Nature Biotechnology. The first, released in March 2024, detailed the preclinical development of Rentosertib (ISM001-055)—the world’s first TNIK inhibitor discovered and designed with the aid of generative AI—from target identification to preclinical candidate nomination, highlighting the benefits of AI-led drug discovery methodology to provide efficiency and speed to drug discovery. The second study, published in December 2024, described the design and optimization of a novel gut-restricted PHD inhibitor, ISM5411, using generative chemistry engine Chemistry42, underscoring the transformative potential of AI in providing solutions for unmet medical needs.
In recent years, Insilico has steadily increased its investment in cutting-edge research, remaining dedicated to sharing its discoveries through peer-reviewed publications. Since the beginning of 2025, the company has published 4 papers in the Nature portfolio, further reinforcing its reputation for innovation and global academic leadership in the AI-driven biotechnology industry.
Specifically, in January 2025, Insilico, in collaboration with the University of Toronto, published a joint paper in Nature Biotechnology that, for the first time, reported the leverage of a quantum–classical hybrid model for designing novel KRAS inhibitors. In May, in collaboration with the Guangzhou Medical University team, the company published research in Nature Communications on the AI-enabled design of broad-spectrum coronavirus inhibitors. Also in May, another Nature Communications paper detailed the AI-driven discovery and design of a novel ENPP1 small molecule inhibitor, offering new strategies with broad potential for innovative immunotherapy. In June, Insilico published phase IIa clinical trial data in Nature Medicine on the safety and efficacy of the AI-discovered TNIK inhibitor Rentosertib (ISM001-055), marking a significant industry milestone as the world’s first clinical proof-of-concept for AI-driven drug development.
Harnessing state-of-the-art AI and automation technologies, Insilico has significantly improved the efficiency of preclinical drug development. Whereas traditional early-stage drug discovery typically requires 2.5 to 4 years, from 2021 to 2024 Insilico nominated 20 preclinical candidates, achieving an average turnaround—from project initiation to preclinical candidate (PCC) nomination—of just 12 to 18 months per program, with only 60 to 200 molecules synthesized and tested in each program.
Since its founding in 2014, Insilico has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers. The company is committed to advancing scientific innovation in biomedicine, setting new industry standards, and spearheading paradigm shifts within the field.
About Insilico Medicine
Insilico Medicine, a leading and global AI-driven biotech company, utilizes its proprietary Pharma.AI platform and cutting-stage automated laboratory to accelerate drug discovery and advance innovations in life sciences research. By integrating AI and automation technologies and deep in-house drug discovery capabilities, Insilico is delivering innovative drug solutions for unmet needs including fibrosis, oncology, immunology, pain, and obesity and metabolic disorders. Additionally, Insilico extends the reach of Pharma.AI across diverse industries, such as advanced materials, agriculture, nutritional products and veterinary medicine. For more information, please visit www.insilico.com.