SK Bioscience Integrates AI System into Vaccine Manufacturing Process

SK Bioscience announced on the 21st that it has improved its research and development (R&D) infrastructure by establishing an IT optimization system called the ‘AI-based Design Space Optimization System (ADO),’ which analyzes data and predicts success probabilities based on artificial intelligence (AI) during the vaccine process design of experiments (DoE). This is the first time AI has been introduced in the vaccine development process in South Korea.

ADO was developed through a year and a half of research by SK Bioscience in collaboration with DX Lab, the AI and digital transformation dedicated organization within the SK Discovery Group. Last month, the final proof of concept (PoC) for ADO was completed, and various design of experiment data are being constructed.

SK Bioscience’s ADO uses AI to predict various variables in process design that are difficult for researchers to analyze directly, thereby increasing accuracy. This is expected to reduce the number of experiments that need to be conducted, shorten vaccine development time, and cut research costs. In the PoC where ADO was introduced to the protein conjugate development process of bacterial vaccines, it was confirmed that the design of experiment period was shortened to about one-third.

SK Bioscience plans to expand the application of ADO to various experiments and production processes beyond protein conjugates. If established not only in R&D but also in production processes, it is expected to shorten production time and improve vaccine yield through process improvements.

Hwang Jae-seon, Head of Digital Innovation at SK Bioscience, said, “We are introducing advanced AI systems across management areas including R&D, production, and administration,” adding, “We will establish a leading digital environment early to secure global competitiveness.”