Dong-A ST said on the 22nd that it signed a business agreement with the Seoul National University Department of Transdisciplinary Studies for artificial intelligence (AI)-based new drug development.
The goal of the agreement is to accelerate next-generation new drug development using AI technology. It was pursued to conduct joint research that combines Dong-A ST's clinical data and new drug development capabilities with the Seoul National University Department of Transdisciplinary Studies' foundational AI technology.
The two institutions will collaborate on joint research related to AI-based new drug development and the digital transformation of research data. They also plan to run internship programs for Seoul National University master's and doctoral students to cultivate talent for next-generation AI new drug development, and to expand it into an industry-academia cooperation system over the mid to long term. The Seoul National University Department of Transdisciplinary Studies has developed general-purpose foundational AI technology and core algorithms applicable to a variety of fields.
Professor Kim Kyeong-soo of the Seoul National University Department of Transdisciplinary Studies said, "It is more important than ever to train advanced talent capable of professionally integrating diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, Digital Healthcare, biomedical science, and new drug development, and to assemble a faculty of the highest caliber in each field," adding, "With these capabilities, the Seoul National University Department of Transdisciplinary Studies, together with Dong-A ST, will push forward foundational technology development aimed at global commercialization and the entry of new drugs into the global market."
Chung Jae-hoon, president of Dong-A ST, said, "AI is a core technology that is changing the paradigm of new drug development, and through cooperation with Seoul National University, it will add new innovation momentum to Dong-A ST's research and development capabilities," adding, "Through collaboration between the two institutions, we will speed up AI-based new drug development and continue to create innovative new drugs that are competitive on the global stage."