AI-Powered Drug Development Gains Momentum in China as Multiple New Therapies Achieve Key Clinical Milestones

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Industry DynamicsIn recent years, the AI pharmaceutical industry has been booming and has already taken an important position in the pharmaceutical industry's transaction ecosystem. In just the first half of 2026, there have been over nine AI pharmaceutical-related collaborations involving multinational pharmaceutical companies, with a total value exceeding 6 billion US dollars. Notably, as these collaborations continue to advance, many pharmaceutical companies' R&D efforts are beginning to see breakthroughs. Since January 2026, several Chinese pharmaceutical companies have achieved key clinical progress in new drug development through AI partnerships, covering areas such as rare diseases and oncology.
 

Recently, Huadong Medicine and SiranBio jointly announced that the siRNA innovative therapy for an innovative weight loss mechanism, developed through their collaboration, has successfully completed the confirmation of the preclinical candidate compound (PCC) and officially entered the preclinical research stage.
 

It is reported that SiranBio, with its core advantages in siRNA drug development—such as the self-developed AI-based siRNA sequence design platform, eSAFE chemical modification technology, and STORK-L GalNAc conjugate delivery technology—has successfully collaborated with the R&D team of Huadong Medicine to develop a highly specific siRNA molecule for weight loss treatment. Preliminary experimental data shows significant efficacy in reducing body weight and improving glucose and lipid metabolism, with good safety, demonstrating the potential to become a "best-in-class" drug.
 

On January 14, XtalPi announced that the innovative drug pipeline RTX-117 from its incubated company ReviR Therapeutics (hereinafter referred to as "ReviR") has successfully achieved the milestone of "dual filing and dual approval" (IND approval) in both China and the United States. Combined with the successful progress of various collaborations, XtalPi will receive milestone payments totaling several tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars paid by ReviR, and will have the right to participate in the sales revenue sharing and subsequent licensing revenue sharing of this pipeline; ReviR will continue to complete the subsequent clinical development of RTX-117.
 

Public information shows that RTX-117 is the first Class 1 innovative drug pipeline in China targeting CMT, and it represents a deep collaboration between ReviR and XtalPi, leveraging AI+RobotThe first project in a series of rare disease drug pipelines developed with assistance to enter clinical trials. Notably, its collaboration with XtalPi on multiple ongoing pipeline projects aims to systematically address the global treatment challenges of rare diseases, offering new therapeutic options for more patients.
 

January 16 news: SIGX2649, the new drug discovered through the collaboration between Signet Therapeutics and XtalPi Holdings Limited, has completed preclinical research. It is about to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application simultaneously to the regulatory authorities in China and the United States. Relevant data will be presented at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting.
 

SIGX2649 is the second innovative drug pipeline developed through the collaboration between XtalPi Holdings Limited and Signet Therapeutics, following the entry of SIGX1094, a targeted drug for diffuse gastric cancer, into Phase I clinical trials. It is a pan-TEAD inhibitor with a broad market potential in the field of solid tumor treatment.
 

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Overall, the continuous clinical progress fully reflects that the AI pharmaceuticals industry has reached a critical turning point, transitioning from technical validation to large-scale clinical transformation. Companies with full-chain AI capabilities, clinical transformation experience, and a global layout are likely to dominate the market. At the same time, an increasing number of innovative achievements will emerge. Against this backdrop, China is expected to become one of the global innovation sources in AI pharmaceuticals.
 

　　Disclaimer: In no event shall the information or opinions expressed in this article constitute investment advice to any person.