[Interview] "AI and Bio Convergence... Quantum Leap in New Drug Development Speed"

Kim Wooyeon, Head of AI New Drug Development Support Center
"Technology gap not significant... Active investment needed"

"Overseas companies that applied artificial intelligence (AI) from the early stages of their projects reportedly completed the non-clinical process within 18 months. This suggests that AI can accelerate new drug development."

Director Woo-Yeon Kim of the AI New Drug Development Support Center at the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

On the 29th of last month, Kim Woo-yeon, director of the AI New Drug Development Support Center, explained the potential for advancement in AI-based new drug development during a meeting at the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association building in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Generally, the non-clinical process takes 4 to 6 years. The use of AI in discovering candidate substances and analyzing clinical data necessary for new drug development means a 'quantum jump' in development speed and efficiency. Kim, who is also a professor in the Department of Chemistry at KAIST, has been leading the center since March last year.

Established in March 2019 under the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, the AI New Drug Development Support Center supports domestic pharmaceutical and bio companies in utilizing AI, fosters talent, and facilitates global cooperation. Its goal is to accelerate new drug development through AI. Specifically, it promotes new technologies for AI-based drug development and supports companies in applying AI technologies. It also offers educational programs on AI new drug development for current professionals, researchers, and students.

The association established the center anticipating significant growth potential in AI-based new drug development. Utilizing AI in the drug development process not only shortens development time but also reduces costs required for new drug development. Since 2018, the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association has been working to establish an organization to support AI new drug development and created the center to foster an AI new drug development ecosystem.

The AI new drug development market is still in its early stages. There are no AI-developed new drugs approved domestically or internationally. As an emerging industry, the technological gap between global market-leading companies and domestic firms is not large. Director Kim explained, "Judging by the level of papers from domestic AI new drug development companies, their technology is not significantly different from global companies." However, overseas leads in investment and achievements. Some global AI new drug development companies have new drug candidates that have entered Phase 2 clinical trials, and several are conducting Phase 1 trials. The United States leads the market, accounting for 70% of AI new drug development investments. In contrast, most domestic AI new drug development companies are still in the non-clinical stages, such as candidate substance discovery before clinical trials. As of last year, 52 domestic companies are developing 88 new drug pipelines. Investments in domestic AI new drug development companies amount to about 600 billion KRW, mainly from venture capital (VC).

Director Woo-Yeon Kim of the AI New Drug Development Support Center at the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

One of the center’s key roles is nurturing interdisciplinary talent through educational programs. Since it combines two specialized fields?new drug development and AI?specialized education programs are necessary. The center operates an online AI new drug development education platform called ‘LAIDD.’ LAIDD currently offers about 500 hours of lectures with various curricula, featuring university professors, researchers, and professionals from AI new drug development companies as instructors. The courses are free of charge. Most learners on the LAIDD platform are employees and graduate students, with employees accounting for about 62%. Their main purpose for taking courses is to apply AI in their jobs. Since its launch in September 2021, LAIDD has about 5,600 registered users. This year alone, over 2,500 people started taking courses on LAIDD. Considering the specialized content and that all learners are voluntary, this growth is notable.

What is most needed for the development of the domestic AI new drug development industry? Director Kim emphasized that 'active investment' is the first step. Since the AI new drug development industry is still in its infancy both domestically and globally, investment can help narrow the technology gap and secure market leadership. He also explained that once investment accelerates the AI new drug development industry, it will create a virtuous cycle of job creation, talent development, and technological advancement. Globally, not only big pharmaceutical companies but also big tech firms like Microsoft and Google are investing in AI new drug development. He said, "It is natural that the future industry of bio and highly applicable AI converge. Now is not the time to question whether AI will be used, but how it will be used."

Meanwhile, Professor Kim Woo-yeon of KAIST’s Department of Chemistry earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and worked as a researcher at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. In 2020, he received the 'Young Physical Chemist Award' from the Korean Chemical Society. He is also a co-founder of the AI new drug development platform HITS.

Director Woo-Yeon Kim of the AI New Drug Development Support Center at the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@