BenevolentAI has long been one of the UK’s most recognised names in AI-driven drug discovery. After more than a decade of developing intelligent tools to uncover new treatments and support pharmaceutical innovation, the company is now entering a new era. Following its delisting from the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange in 2025 and merger with Osaka Holdings, BenevolentAI is returning to its roots, focusing on technology, partnerships, and innovation.
BenevolentAI stands among the leading healthtech companies in the UK, driving innovation through artificial intelligence to support faster, more accurate drug discovery and development across the biopharmaceutical sector.
What is BenevolentAI?
BenevolentAI is a London-based technology company that uses artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery and development. Founded in 2013, it combines advanced AI systems with scientific data to identify potential drug targets, predict biological mechanisms, and support pharmaceutical research.
The company’s mission has always been to help patients by using data and technology to make drug development faster, smarter, and more efficient. With headquarters in London and key operations in Cambridge’s Babraham Research Campus, BenevolentAI stands at the intersection of biotech and AI innovation.
The Origins and Leadership of BenevolentAI
Founding and Early Growth
BenevolentAI was established in 2013 with the goal of transforming how the pharmaceutical industry discovers and develops new medicines. Its founders wanted to create a system that could read, understand, and learn from the vast amounts of biomedical data that human researchers could never process alone.
From early on, the company attracted attention for its vision of combining artificial intelligence with deep scientific knowledge. This approach positioned BenevolentAI as a pioneer in what has become known as the TechBio sector, a blend of advanced technology and life sciences.
BenevolentAI’s Leadership Team
Kenneth Mulvany, the company’s founder and current Executive Chair, has played a key role in steering BenevolentAI through its various stages of growth. Under his direction, the company grew from a small London startup into an internationally recognised leader in AI-driven drug discovery. Mulvany’s return to the board in recent years marked a turning point, setting the stage for strategic refocusing and restructuring.
How BenevolentAI Uses AI in Drug Discovery
The Benevolent Platform™
At the heart of BenevolentAI’s work is its proprietary Benevolent Platform™, a sophisticated system that integrates AI, machine learning, and scientific data. The platform analyses billions of data points from research papers, clinical studies, and molecular databases to predict new biological insights and potential drug targets.
The system enables scientists to identify and validate disease mechanisms faster than traditional research methods. This process supports pharmaceutical companies in designing better-targeted therapies and reducing the time and cost of drug development.
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Collaboration and Achievements
BenevolentAI’s collaboration with AstraZeneca has been one of its most high-profile partnerships. Together, they have achieved several milestones in drug discovery, including identifying new disease pathways and advancing drug candidates through the early stages of development. The partnership demonstrates how AI can work alongside traditional research to accelerate breakthroughs that directly benefit patients.
Strategic Overhaul and Merger with Osaka Holdings
Why BenevolentAI Delisted from Euronext Amsterdam
In February 2025, BenevolentAI announced its decision to delist from the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange. The company had initially gone public in 2022 through a merger with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), but after several years as a listed entity, it chose to return to private ownership.
The decision to delist was driven by financial and operational considerations. Maintaining a public listing brought significant costs and administrative complexity, which the board felt were holding the company back. By merging with Osaka Holdings, BenevolentAI aimed to simplify its corporate structure and free up resources for innovation.
New Strategic Direction
Following the merger, BenevolentAI began a full strategic overhaul. The company is now refocusing on its core mission, which is using technology to serve science. This involves streamlining operations, reducing costs, and turning its technologies into flexible, standalone products for pharmaceutical partners.
The company’s revised strategy extends its financial runway to 2027, allowing more time to develop sustainable, long-term solutions. By cutting early-stage development costs and focusing on AI product development, BenevolentAI is positioning itself for stronger partnerships and faster integration within the pharmaceutical ecosystem.
BenevolentAI’s Technology and Future Plans
Standalone AI-Driven Drug Discovery Products
BenevolentAI is now turning its technology into modular products designed to fit seamlessly into pharmaceutical research processes. These products enable partners to use AI tools across different stages of drug discovery, from identifying new targets to testing potential treatments.
By offering flexible AI solutions, the company can better support its partners’ needs while maintaining a leaner and more adaptable business model. This shift marks a move away from heavy in-house drug development towards providing high-value, scalable technology.
Continued Partnerships and Research
BenevolentAI’s partnerships remain central to its growth strategy. Its ongoing collaboration with AstraZeneca continues to deliver results, with several milestones achieved since their partnership began. Beyond AstraZeneca, the company plans to expand its reach through additional biopharma collaborations, helping partners bring innovative treatments to patients faster.
BenevolentAI’s Impact on the Pharma Industry
BenevolentAI has played an influential role in shaping the TechBio industry. By combining AI with biology, it has introduced new ways of approaching complex diseases and drug discovery challenges. The company’s work demonstrates how technology can support human scientists in making faster, more accurate discoveries.
Its impact extends beyond its partnerships and patents. BenevolentAI has helped to normalise the use of AI in pharmaceutical research, paving the way for a new generation of data-driven medicine. As healthcare becomes increasingly digitised, companies like BenevolentAI are proving how computational intelligence can lead to real-world medical progress.
Benevolent AI Funding and Financial Outlook
BenevolentAI has attracted substantial investment since its founding, securing hundreds of millions in funding to build its technology and expand globally. Its 2022 listing on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange initially valued the company at over a billion euros, reflecting strong investor confidence in AI-driven drug discovery.
After returning to private ownership in 2025, the company’s financial focus shifted toward sustainability and efficiency. Streamlined operations, cost reductions, and prioritised investment in technology have strengthened its financial position. The merger with Osaka Holdings has given BenevolentAI the stability and flexibility needed to focus on long-term innovation rather than short-term market pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded BenevolentAI?
BenevolentAI was founded by Kenneth Mulvany, who now serves as Executive Chair.
Why did BenevolentAI delist from the stock exchange?
The company delisted from Euronext Amsterdam in 2025 to reduce costs, simplify its corporate structure, and focus resources on innovation.
What is the Benevolent Platform™?
It is BenevolentAI’s proprietary technology that uses machine learning and scientific data to uncover new biology and support drug discovery.
Where is BenevolentAI based?
The company is headquartered in London, with key research operations in Cambridge, England.
Is BenevolentAI still public?
No. As of 2025, BenevolentAI is a privately owned company following its merger with Osaka Holdings.