Finding Treatments for 'Shin-jong Corona' Using Artificial Intelligence

On the 6th, when 4 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were added, a notice prohibiting visits and controlling access was posted at the main building of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the 21st patient is known to be hospitalized in an isolation ward. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Starting this month, efforts to find treatments for the novel coronavirus infection (novel coronavirus) using artificial intelligence will begin by repurposing existing drugs. Following this, the development of rapid diagnostic kits that anyone can use immediately to determine novel coronavirus infection status will also commence, marking the full-scale start of scientific and technological responses to the novel coronavirus.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 6th that it will carry out the "Emergency Research Project for Public Safety" to respond to the novel coronavirus. The emergency research project is a research initiative aimed at addressing various disaster safety issues through the use of science and technology. The Ministry of Science and ICT, in consultation with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, decided to promote four projects to respond to the novel coronavirus.

Finding Novel Coronavirus Treatments Using Artificial Intelligence

The government will use artificial intelligence based on big data related to drugs to search for treatments for the novel coronavirus. This work involves identifying candidate drugs originally developed for other diseases but expected to be effective against the novel coronavirus, and repurposing them as treatments. The government plans to complete project planning by next week, including establishing criteria for selecting candidate substances. Subsequently, researchers will be recruited through a public announcement within this month.

A representative from the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "Since the methods for conducting this project and the specific substances to be selected have not yet been determined, it is difficult to estimate when results will be produced, but the project itself is scheduled to start within this month." They added, "Because this approach can significantly reduce the time compared to developing new drugs, it is expected to contribute to public safety."

Developing Rapid Diagnostic Kits for Novel Coronavirus

Passengers from a flight arriving from China entered the exclusive arrival hall through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on the 5th. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

The government will also develop rapid diagnostic kits that can confirm novel coronavirus infection status on-site in quarantine settings. Currently, novel coronavirus diagnostic tests require a laboratory to confirm infection status and take about six hours. The government believes it is possible to develop rapid diagnostic kits that anyone can easily use to check infection status, similar to pregnancy test devices.

Work will also begin to analyze the unique characteristics of the novel coronavirus, including growth traits, pathogenicity and infectivity, antigenicity, and immunity. This aims to prepare information that can be used for patient treatment and future drug development. In addition, the government will conduct research on epidemiological information and resource collection and provision related to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

A Ministry of Science and ICT official stated, "To protect the safety of the public from the novel coronavirus, we will comprehensively utilize Korea's scientific and technological capabilities to rapidly develop necessary technologies, while actively responding by closely cooperating with related agencies and supplying them to the field."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.