AI and Pharma Convergence Heats Up: Chinese Drugmakers Ramp Up AI Investments in 2026

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Industry Dynamics】As artificial intelligence technology continues to penetrate the pharmaceutical field, the global pharmaceutical industry is entering a new competitive phase driven by "data + algorithms." Since 2026, many pharmaceutical companies in China have been actively deploying AI-driven drug discovery through cooperation and financing, accelerating the construction of their long-term digital and intelligent competitiveness.
 

Recently, Insilico Medicine announced that it has reached a drug discovery strategic cooperation with Qilu Pharmaceutical Group and its subsidiary, Shanghai Qilu Pharmaceutical Research Center, and signed relevant agreements. According to the agreement, Insilico Medicine will utilize its self-developed Pharma.AI platform to focus on the design and optimization of novel small molecule drugs in the metabolic disease field, while Qilu Pharmaceutical will be responsible for subsequent development and commercialization work. The total value of this agreement exceeds 931 million Hong Kong dollars, including development and sales milestone payments, as well as single-digit royalties on subsequent net sales.
 

In this regard, the relevant person in charge of Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. stated that they look forward to this innovative drug development project organically combining Qilu’s long-accumulated R&D experience and capabilities with Insilico Medicine's AI platform and AI-driven new drug R&D experience to address unmet clinical needs and bring benefits to patients worldwide.
 

On January 26, Dongyangguang Pharmaceutical and XtalPi Holdings signed a strategic cooperation agreement worth hundreds of millions. Aiming to build an industry-leading AI drug discovery engine and promote technology export, the two parties will construct a diversified profit model of "pipeline co-creation + technology win-win."
 

It is reported that the two parties will join hands to establish a joint venture, deeply integrating Crystal Digital Technology AI+RobotThe advantages of the drug discovery platform, combined with Dongyang Guangya's extensive accumulation in multi-target R&D data, biological insights, and pipeline development experience, will address many long-standing challenges in drug discovery through the co-construction of an AI + robotics joint laboratory and a large non-clinical drug model, achieving multi-faceted collaboration in foundational technology, new drug pipeline development, and commercialization.
 

On January 21, Hualan Corporation announced that the company had approved the "Proposal on Capital Increase to Wholly-Owned Subsidiary," and will invest 450 million yuan of its own funds to increase the capital of Lingqing Digital Intelligence.
 

Lingqing Digital Intelligence is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiangsu Hualan New Pharmaceutical Material Co., Ltd. This capital increase will help enhance Lingqing Digital Intelligence's asset scale and financial strength, reserve sufficient funds for subsequent project investments, improve its risk resistance capability and credit foundation for external cooperation. It will also provide strong support for establishing stable cooperative relationships with high-quality resources upstream and downstream in the AI pharmaceuticals industry chain, and prepare for the continuous expansion and commercial implementation of subsequent AI pharmaceuticals business.
 

On January 20, NewDEL Biotech announced the completion of a multi-million yuan A+ round strategic financing. The funds will be mainly used to further develop and upgrade NewDEL Biotech's "DEL+AI" integrated technology platform, accelerate the advancement and clinical development of its innovative drug pipeline, and further enhance the efficiency and success rate during the early drug discovery stage.
 

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Overall, since the beginning of 2026, Chinese pharmaceutical companies have been heavily investing in AI-driven drug discovery, driven by four core factors: structural optimization of R&D efficiency and costs, resonance between policy and capital, clinical translation entering the payoff period, and international competition forcing technological positioning. In the future, an increasing number of pharmaceutical companies are expected to enter the AI field, with a concentrated harvest period for AI pipelines anticipated within 1-2 years, becoming a new growth engine.
 

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