Insilico Medicine, a clinical-stage company specializing in generative AI-driven drug discovery, has announced a significant development milestone with the nomination of ISM0387, marking the first UAE-based preclinical candidate. This achievement, celebrated on April 23, 2026, comes as part of Insilico’s 30th preclinical candidate nomination and was supported by local partners, including the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
ISM0387 is identified as an MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor featuring a novel AI-generated structure that demonstrates enhanced in vitro efficacy and selectivity, particularly for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. This nomination not only reflects the capabilities of Insilico Medicine but also underscores the UAE’s evolving reputation as a technology-driven hub for pharmaceutical innovation.
Insilico’s journey to this milestone was expedited by its proprietary Pharma.AI platform, which enabled the local team to screen 90 AI-powered candidates focused on CNS-specific traits, completing the lead discovery phase in a mere six months. Historically, drug discovery has been a resource-intensive process, typically requiring billions in investment and over a decade to bring a single drug to market. The swift development of ISM0387 indicates a promising shift in how drug discovery can be conducted, particularly in emerging markets.
H.E. Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State and Chairman of the Emirates Drug Establishment, expressed that this nomination could enhance the UAE’s standing in global biotech value chains, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to developing local pharmaceutical capabilities and fostering scientific research coupled with effective regulatory and investment frameworks.
In a similar vein, H.E. Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, highlighted that ISM0387 represents not just a research achievement but a leap towards local medicine development, bolstered by advanced technologies. She reiterated the importance of this milestone in building a robust national system capable of addressing future health challenges.
The successful nomination of ISM0387 continues a trend initiated by Insilico with the launch of a pilot program in May 2025, aimed at compressing traditional drug research timelines. The program focused on genetically validated synthetic lethality targets for solid tumors, underscoring the role of generative AI in revolutionizing drug discovery. Insilico’s local team, composed of experts in various fields, set aggressive targets for the program and achieved them, culminating in the nomination of ISM0387 within 12 months.
The scientific basis for ISM0387 lies in its approach to synthetic lethality, specifically targeting the PRMT5 enzyme in cancer cells deficient in Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP). This targeted approach allows for more effective treatment options for aggressive cancers such as Glioblastoma. With a high recurrence rate and limited treatment options currently available, ISM0387’s development represents a significant potential advancement in the field, particularly as it addresses a prevalent genetic deletion found in these tumors.
The discovery process for ISM0387 was streamlined through Insilico’s Chemistry42 platform, which integrates multiple generative AI models. The platform’s capabilities allowed for rapid generation and evaluation of compounds, focusing on optimizing properties crucial for effective CNS targeting. This included enhancing the blood-brain barrier penetration capabilities of ISM0387, an essential factor for treating brain tumors.
The entire lead discovery phase was completed in six months, a stark contrast to traditional timelines. In preclinical models, ISM0387 has shown promising results, significantly suppressing tumor growth in Glioblastoma models, indicating its potential for future clinical applications.
The establishment of Insilico’s presence in the UAE, supported by ADIO, has laid a solid foundation for the region’s burgeoning biotechnology ecosystem, particularly within the HELM cluster, which emphasizes health, endurance, longevity, and medicine. This partnership aims to bolster advanced pharmaceutical development and local manufacturing capabilities, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s broader economic diversification objectives.
Insilico co-founder Alex Aliper remarked on this achievement, stating that the nomination of ISM0387 illustrates the transformative potential of generative AI in medicine. He emphasized the importance of this milestone in showcasing the UAE’s capacity to become a global hub for scientific innovation.
As Insilico Medicine continues to build its portfolio, the nomination of ISM0387 is a pivotal moment not only for the company but for the UAE’s ambitions to lead in the pharmaceutical sector, underscoring a shift towards localized drug discovery and development. This progress sets the stage for further advances in biotechnology and reflects a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes on a global scale.
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