Insilico Medicine Receives $5 Million Milestone Payment from Menarini Group

Payment follows first-in-human dosing of MEN2501, an AI-discovered cancer drug candidate

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Insilico Medicine, a clinical-stage AI-driven biotech company, has received a $5 million milestone payment from Menarini Group after the first-in-patient dosing of MEN2501, a small molecule inhibitor of the KIF18A protein developed using Insilico's generative AI engine. This payment follows an earlier $3 million milestone payment in July 2025 and is part of a strategic collaboration between the two companies to accelerate cancer drug development.

Why it matters

The successful advancement of MEN2501 into clinical trials demonstrates the potential of AI-driven drug discovery to rapidly identify and develop promising new cancer therapies. This milestone payment strengthens the partnership between Insilico and Menarini and highlights the growing role of AI in the pharmaceutical industry.

The details

MEN2501, previously known as ISM9682, is a highly differentiated small molecule inhibitor of the kinesin KIF18A motor protein, which has shown potent activity in cancers with chromosome instability. The asset was licensed to Menarini's subsidiary Stemline Therapeutics in January 2025 as part of a strategic collaboration worth over $550 million. Following IND approval, Insilico received an initial $3 million milestone payment in July 2025, and the latest $5 million payment comes after the successful completion of first-in-patient dosing in a Phase 1 trial.

  • In January 2025, Insilico licensed MEN2501 to Menarini Group.
  • In July 2025, Insilico received a $3 million milestone payment following IND approval for MEN2501.
  • In February 2026, Insilico received a $5 million milestone payment after the first-in-patient dosing of MEN2501 in a Phase 1 trial.

The players

Insilico Medicine

A clinical-stage, generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating drug discovery and delivering innovative therapies.

Menarini Group

A global pharmaceutical company that has partnered with Insilico to accelerate the development and delivery of transformative cancer therapies.

Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.

A wholly owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group that has licensed the MEN2501 program from Insilico.

Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD

Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine.

Elcin Barker Ergun

CEO of the Menarini Group.

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What they’re saying

“The program rapidly advanced into a Phase I clinical trial and successfully completed first patient dosing, fully demonstrating Menarini and Stemline's exceptional agility and clinical expertise.”

— Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine (PRNewswire)

“Getting the first patient dosed in our MEN2501 Phase 1 study is a meaningful milestone that underscores how quickly promising science can move forward through focused clinical execution.”

— Elcin Barker Ergun, CEO of the Menarini Group (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The MEN2501 program is expected to continue advancing through clinical development, with Insilico and Menarini working together to bring this AI-discovered cancer therapy to patients.

The takeaway

This milestone payment highlights the growing success of AI-driven drug discovery, as Insilico's generative AI engine has enabled the rapid development of a promising new cancer therapy. The strong partnership between Insilico and Menarini demonstrates the pharmaceutical industry's increasing embrace of AI technologies to accelerate the delivery of innovative treatments.