Recursion and Exscientia, two trailblazers in AI-driven drug discovery, have officially merged to form a technology-powered platform aimed at revolutionizing pharmaceutical development. The merger will combine advanced AI methodologies to accelerate drug discovery, cut costs, and bring novel treatments to market faster.
Accelerating Innovation in Drug Development
The newly merged entity will focus on creating first-in-class and best-in-class drugs. The combination strengthens Recursion’s pipeline, which includes more than 10 clinical and preclinical programs, 10 advanced discovery projects, and multiple partnered initiatives. The aim is to optimize therapeutic potential by leveraging AI-driven insights.
Key Developments in the Drug Development Pipeline
The combined company is progressing through several key milestones, including:
- REC-617 (CDK7 inhibitor for advanced solid tumors) – Phase 1 safety and pharmacokinetic data expected in December 2024.
- REV102 (ENPP1 inhibitor for hypophosphatasia) – Development candidate nomination expected by Q4 2024.
- REC-4881 (MEK1/2 inhibitor for familial adenomatous polyposis) – Phase 1b/2 data anticipated in 2025.
- REC-4539 (LSD1 inhibitor for small-cell lung cancer) – First patient dosing expected in 2025.
- REC-1245 (RBM39 degrader for solid tumors and lymphoma) – Phase 1 dose-escalation update expected in 2026.
Strategic Partnerships and Financial Outlook
Recursion has secured over $450 million in upfront and milestone payments, with the potential for additional revenues exceeding $20 billion. The company has partnered with more than 10 programs across oncology and immunology, enhancing its AI-driven drug discovery platform.
AI-Powered Research and Future Vision
The integration of Exscientia’s chemical design expertise with Recursion’s 60 petabytes of data will drive iterative learning cycles across the drug discovery process. The platform is also developing virtual cell models to revolutionize drug testing and streamline clinical trials.
Leadership and Organizational Growth
The combined organization now employs approximately 800 people with key offices in Salt Lake City, Toronto, Montreal, Milpitas, New York, Oxford, and London. Notable leadership changes include:
- Franziska Michor joins the Board of Directors.
- Ben Taylor appointed CFO and President of Recursion UK.
- Dave Hallett becomes Chief Scientific Officer.
- Kristen Rushton promoted to Chief Operating Officer.
- Matthew Kinn named Chief Business Officer.
- Lina Nilsson appointed Senior VP, Head of Platform.
Shaping the Future of Drug Discovery
With a strong commitment to accelerating breakthroughs and improving patient outcomes, the merger of Recursion and Exscientia represents a pivotal step forward in the future of AI-driven drug discovery.
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