Emerging AI Drug Development... Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Association Launches AI Research Institute

The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association recently announced on the 16th that it has established the AI New Drug Convergence Research Institute (CAIID).

Kim Hwajong, the inaugural director of the AI New Drug Convergence Research Institute (CAIID) at the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (Professor at Kangwon National University)
[Photo by Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association]

CAIID was launched by expanding and reorganizing the AI New Drug Development Support Center, which was established in 2019 to promote AI new drug development. An association official explained the background, saying, "There was a recognition and industry demand for a convergence research institution that would play a leading role in securing super-gap technologies in pharmaceuticals and bio-pharma."

CAIID was established with the purpose of creating an innovative ecosystem in the pharmaceutical and bio-pharma industry and enhancing global competitiveness through the promotion of AI new drug convergence research. It plans to carry out projects such as discovering, planning, and executing AI new drug development tasks, professional workforce training and promotional activities, as well as AI new drug development forums and competitions. The inaugural director is Professor Kim Hwajong of Kangwon National University, and the deputy director is Professor Kim Wooyeon of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), who has been serving as the head of the AI New Drug Development Support Center. The organization is structured with a Convergence Research Team and an Education Operation Team under the Research Project Headquarters.

No Yeonhong, chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, said, “AI technology is rapidly changing the paradigm of new drug development,” and added, “The association will provide full support to ensure that CAIID becomes a representative research institution that accelerates innovative new drug development through the convergence of AI and bio technologies.”