image: Following previous honors in 2022 and 2024, this recognition highlights Dr. Zhavoronkov’s exceptional and sustained research influence, which forms the scientific foundation of Insilico’s end-to-end generative AI platform, Pharma.AI, and the company’s diverse AI-driven drug discovery pipeline.
Credit: Insilico Medicine
Nov. 18, 2025 – Insilico Medicine (“Insilico”), a clinical-stage, generative AI-driven drug discovery company, is proud to announce that the company’s CEO and Founder, Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, has been named to the 2025 Clarivate™ Highly Cited Researchers list in the field of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Following previous honors in 2022 and 2024, this recognition highlights Dr. Zhavoronkov’s exceptional and sustained research influence, which forms the scientific foundation of Insilico’s end-to-end generative AI platform, Pharma.AI, and the company’s diverse AI-driven drug discovery pipeline.
"Being recognized by Clarivate once again is a profound honor, not for me personally, but as a validation of our entire research philosophy at Insilico Medicine," said Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine. "Our publications are not just theoretical, they are the blueprints for the AI engines that are now delivering tangible clinical results. As we celebrate this milestone, we are already building the next era of drug discovery towards pharmaceutical superintelligence. Our commitment is to move beyond using AI as a tool: we are dedicated to developing next-generation AI that can drive decision-making and transform the future of drug R&D and longevity research."
Highly Cited Researchers are recognized for their significant and far-reaching influence in their fields. Each researcher selected has authored multiple papers that rank among the top 1% by citations for their field and publication year in the Web of Science Core Collection over the past 11 years. Of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000. In 2025, 6,868 researchers from more than 1,300 institutions across 60 countries were recognized for their exceptional research influence.
Dr. Zhavoronkov's inclusion is supported by an impressive record of over 310 peer-reviewed papers since 2012. His work is foundational in the field, particularly his pioneering application of generative adversarial networks (GANs) and reinforcement learning (RL) to drug discovery, which he first introduced in 2014-2016. His research, which has garnered over 16,500 citations per Google Scholar, primarily details the algorithms and methodologies that drive Insilico's Pharma.AI platform, providing a transparent, scientifically-validated framework for the biopharmaceutical community in AI driven drug discovery and longevity research.
In recent years, Dr. Zhavoronkov’s published work has shifted from a primary focus on AI algorithms and platforms to two main areas: AI-driven drug discovery and longevity research. His efforts are closely tied to the major milestones achieved by Insilico, the company he founded in 2014. Since its inception, Insilico has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, including six publications in the Nature portfolios since 2024. These papers highlight advancements in AI-driven programs that have demonstrated success in both preclinical or clinical validation:
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Nature Biotechnology: A small-molecule TNIK inhibitor targets fibrosis in preclinical and clinical models
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Nature Biotechnology: Intestinal mucosal barrier repair and immune regulation with an AI-developed gut-restricted PHD inhibitor
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Nature Biotechnology: Quantum-computing-enhanced algorithm unveils potential KRAS inhibitors
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Nature Communications: A novel, covalent broad-spectrum inhibitor targeting human coronavirus Mpro
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Nature Communications: Oral ENPP1 inhibitor designed using generative AI as next generation STING modulator for solid tumors
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Nature Medicine: A generative AI-discovered TNIK inhibitor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a randomized phase 2a trial
Leveraging sustained scientific breakthroughs at the intersection of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and automation, Insilico ranked Top 100 global corporate institutions in Nature Index's "2025 Research Leaders: global corporate institutions for biological sciences and natural sciences publications".
Dr. Zhavoronkov’s work in longevity research is driven by a personal passion for the field. In 2022, he announced a longevity pledge, dedicating 100% of his time and personal resources to advancing longevity research and accelerating the clinical deployment of longevity technologies. He also founded and co-chairs the Annual Aging Research and Drug Discovery meeting (12th Annual in 2025), the world's largest event on aging research in the biotechnology industry.
This series of achievements in research provides the foundation for Dr. Zhavoronkov's forward-looking vision of "Pharmaceutical Superintelligence." He defines this next era as one in which a fully autonomous AI platform is capable of discovering and designing novel therapies without human intervention, advancing his mission to leverage AI for human health and longevity research and ultimately enabling people to live longer and better.
Beyond his academic contributions, Dr. Zhavoronkov continues to be recognized for his transformative leadership in the biotech and business sectors. Most recently, he was named to the Observer AI Power Index 2025, recognizing the top 100 global leaders shaping the future of AI alongside industry giants. Additionally, he was honored as one of Tatler’s Most Influential Hong Kong 2025, celebrating the region's top changemakers and visionaries. These honors underscore his dual impact as both a pioneer in scientific innovation and a strategic leader driving the commercialization of AI-driven life science.
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, visit www.insilico.com.
Media Contact: media@insilicomedicine.com.