"AI-Driven New Drug Development: Securing Technology, Data, and Talented Workforce is Key"

Representative Lecture by Choo Yeon-seong, CEO of Standaim
Pharmaceutical Bio Association Hosts AI Pharma Korea Conference

Industry experts have advised that securing technological competitiveness, data, and talented personnel is essential when developing new drugs using artificial intelligence (AI).

Choo Yeon-seong, CEO of Standaim, is delivering the keynote speech at the 'AI Pharma Korea Conference 2023' held on the 2nd at the Mondrian Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Lee Myung-hwan]

On the morning of the 2nd, Choo Yeon-sung, CEO of Standigm, emphasized this point at the 'AI Pharma Korea Conference 2023' held at the Mondrian Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Choo delivered a keynote speech titled 'Creating an Innovative Ecosystem to Accelerate AI Drug Development' at the conference. Standigm is a specialized AI-based new drug development company that derives new drug candidates using an AI platform.

Hosted by the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, this conference was organized under the slogan 'JUMP to the Era of Great Leap in AI Drug Development' to review the present and future of AI drug development and to strengthen networks and cooperation among industry, academia, and research institutes. Lectures and related sessions by domestic and international speakers were held during the conference.

According to CEO Choo, utilizing AI in the new drug development process can not only shorten development time but also reduce development costs. He explained, "When developing new drugs using AI, a large amount of data across a wide range can be analyzed quickly," adding, "AI can also be used to find new biomarkers or follow up on drug effects."

Choo emphasized that three key requirements are necessary for successful AI drug development: competitive AI technology based on experience, high-quality data, and securing talented personnel.

First, he explained the need to secure expertise and competitiveness in AI technology, as excellent technological capabilities are the foundation of AI drug development. To this end, overseas AI drug development companies collaborate with global big pharma companies such as AstraZeneca (AZ) and Merck. The government's role is crucial for such collaborations. Choo stated, "For a certain period, the government should lead the AI (drug development) industry through support," and added, "It would be good to propose national AI projects or plan collaboration programs between pharmaceutical companies and AI firms."

High-quality data is also important for AI drug development because the more data accumulated, the more data AI can learn from. Choo said, "Currently, the (AI drug development) stage is about gathering necessary data, but each entity is collecting and managing data individually," and added, "We need to create a council or institution to manage and analyze data efficiently." He also stressed the need for comprehensive regulations for data utilization.

He also mentioned the necessity of securing talented personnel, as they play a crucial role in AI drug development. One suggested method is nurturing talent through AI drug development education platforms such as 'LAIDD (Lectures on AI-driven Drug Discovery)' established by the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association. Choo said, "For the (AI drug development industry) to succeed, it must accumulate success stories to attract new talent," adding, "If we create success cases, good talents will come."

Choo also advised that to succeed in the AI drug development business, it is important to respond quickly during paradigm shifts. He said, "It is difficult to catch up with the frontrunners under existing rules, so when new technologies emerge and change the rules of the game, we must move quickly," and suggested, "The government, academia, and industry should actively participate and boldly support investments."

Meanwhile, the conference also held an awards ceremony for the winners of the 1st AI Drug Development Competition. The 'suleezard' team, composed of professors and students from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award, and the 'Dimer' team, mainly consisting of researchers from Standigm, won the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association President's Award.

On the morning of the 2nd, the 'AI Pharma Korea Conference 2023' was held at the Mondrian Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Lee Myunghwan]

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