The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Cho Kyu-hong) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong-ho) have announced the selection of 26 projects for the Federated Learning-Based New Drug Development Acceleration Project (R&D) and the commencement of the project.

The project aims to reduce the cost and time required for new drug development by utilizing federated learning-based AI models that protect data security while enabling data utilization. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Science and ICT have jointly promoted this project launching a project team at the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association in April.

The project team selected 26 sub-projects and their respective leading research institutions across three areas: ▲ federated learning platform construction ▲ utilization and quality management of new drug development data ▲ AI solution development.

In the federated learning platform construction area EVIDNET Co. Ltd. was selected to build a platform that enables secure AI learning without data sharing between institutions.

In the new drug development data utilization and quality management area 20 sub-projects were selected involving pharmaceutical companies universities and research institutes participating in federated learning to enhance and verify AI models for new drug development. The leading institutions include 20 entities such as Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Dongwha Pharm.

In the AI solution development area five sub-projects were selected to develop AI models predicting ADME/T* for discovering drug candidates at each stage of new drug development. Leading institutions include Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology and Jeonbuk National Universitys Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation.

The Ministries will support these 26 projects with a total of 34.8 billion KRW over five years from 2024 to 2028 expecting to create an AI-based new drug development ecosystem through collaboration between the government pharmaceutical companies research institutes and universities.

Hyeong-woo Ko Director of Advanced Medical Support at the Ministry of Health and Welfare emphasized the acceleration of new drug development through federated learning-based AI technology enabling large-scale data analysis that was difficult for individual research institutions and pharmaceutical companies. He also stressed the continued strengthening of data utilization systems and support for AI and data R&D to lead future medical and pharmaceutical innovations and contribute to public health.

Hyun-jun Kwon Director of Basic Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT expressed expectations for the development of AI-based new drug development platforms and solutions through the safe utilization of high-quality data accumulated by various institutions via federated learning. He also highlighted the support for research and development in the digital biofield where AI data and digital technologies converge with biotechnology aiming to create tangible value and establish South Korea as a leading nation in advanced biotechnology.