RaonMeta Files US Patent Application for Experimental Animal Autopsy Practice Content

Raon Meta, a subsidiary of Raon Secure, is accelerating its preparations for entering the overseas market by filing a patent for experimental animal autopsy practice content in the United States.

Raon Meta (CEO Lee Soon-hyung), a company specializing in generative artificial intelligence (AI)-based metaverse platforms, has jointly completed a U.S. patent application with the Catholic University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation for an "Extended Reality (XR)-based electronic device, server, and method for animal experiment education."

Raon Meta expects strong interest in Metademy's experimental animal autopsy practice content in the U.S., as American society has a strong will to address animal ethics issues and seek alternatives to animal testing.

According to global market research firm Precedence Research, the U.S. animal testing market is projected to grow more than twice from about $1 billion (approximately 1.35 trillion KRW) this year to about $2.1 billion (approximately 2.85 trillion KRW) by 2033.

The U.S. government announced an executive order in 2021 to effectively ban animal testing starting in 2035. Since last year, it has allowed new drug approvals without animal testing if safety and efficacy can be demonstrated otherwise, and is actively investing in the development of scientific technologies that can replace animal testing.

Metademy's experimental animal autopsy practice content enables lifelike autopsy practice in virtual reality without sacrificing actual experimental animals. Users can learn the entire autopsy process, from preparation using a virtual rat (experimental mouse) to corpse disposal, and actual autopsy videos are provided as learning guides to enhance understanding. After repetitive practice, users can also verify their skills through tests without separate guides.

Metademy offers a highly immersive and realistic practice environment in three-dimensional space anytime and anywhere. Practitioners can repeatedly perform realistic practices with natural gestures and hand movements within the space, thereby enhancing their individual capabilities.

In particular, it has versatility that allows practice using Extended Reality (XR) devices, which have recently gained global attention, enabling metaverse-based practice in the U.S. just as in Korea.

Yoon Won-seok, Head of Metademy Business Division at Raon Meta, said, "This patent application has allowed us to speed up preparations for entering the U.S. market. Based on Metademy's versatility using XR devices, we will expand our market share by introducing various contents such as nursing skills, physical therapy, caregiving, and drone operation to the U.S. market in addition to experimental animal autopsy practice content."

Meanwhile, Raon Meta signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Catholic University Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital in February to develop experimental animal autopsy practice content. In March, it jointly filed a domestic patent with the Catholic University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation for the world's first "training content for experimental animals using Extended Reality (XR) devices, including autopsy, procedures, administration, blood collection, anesthesia, and euthanasia."