J INTS BIO Forms AI-Supercomputing Cancer Therapy Alliance

In a significant event held on November 4, 2024, at Baekyangnuri Plaza, Yonsei University, J INTS BIO unveiled an ambitious collaboration aimed at revolutionizing cancer treatment through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and multi-omics technology. This initiative brings together major institutions such as Yonsei University College of Medicine's DAAN Cancer Research Institute, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), and KAIST. The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Yuhan Corporation CEO Wook Je Cho, National Assembly Member Seong Hoon Park, and KAIST Professor Joung Ho Kim, showcasing the robust support from both government and industry sectors.

J INTS BIO is pioneering the development of personalized therapies for lung cancer by combining AI with multi-omics, which integrates various biological data sources like genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics. This comprehensive approach aims to improve the prediction of drug efficacy and reduce toxicity, addressing significant challenges in conventional oncology drug development.

Professor Byoung Chul Cho of Severance Hospital, known for his work on the lung cancer drug "Leclaza," highlighted the transformative potential of AI in precision medicine. He stated that the use of AI and supercomputing enables highly detailed analyses of patient tissue and genetic profiles, facilitating the creation of personalized treatment strategies. KAIST's Professor Joung Ho Kim added that AI's ability to process large biological datasets and apply machine learning for individual patient predictions could significantly lower clinical trial failure rates and speed up the drug discovery process.

The collaboration follows a four-phase research strategy, starting with the meticulous collection and preparation of patient samples. The DAAN Cancer Research Institute at Yonsei University will lead this phase, focusing on gathering lung cancer tissue and genomic samples for AI model development. The Institute will use cell and animal models to validate AI predictions, identify drug resistance mechanisms, and refine algorithms to enhance accuracy.

DGIST's Core Protein Resources Center will leverage national supercomputers to simulate protein-drug interactions, conducting detailed structural analyses and virtual experiments. This phase aims to validate AI-driven hypotheses and assist in designing drugs tailored to the molecular characteristics of cancer.

KRICT's Medicinal Bio Research Division will synthesize the drug candidates recommended by AI, subjecting them to thorough pharmacological and toxicological evaluations. KRICT Director Kwang Rok Kim noted that AI is revolutionizing drug discovery by enabling the rapid and safe development of optimized therapeutic compounds, delivering unparalleled precision in medicine.

J INTS BIO will oversee the entire project, managing clinical trials to validate the AI-based predictions and develop clinically proven, patient-specific treatments. This approach aims to shorten the journey from laboratory research to market readiness, making advanced cancer therapies more accessible to patients globally.

The collaboration represents a significant advancement in cancer research, demonstrating the potential of combining AI with biotechnology. Seong-Kyoon Choi, Director of DGIST's Core Protein Resources Center, emphasized that AI and supercomputing are setting new standards for protein analysis and drug design precision. National Assembly Member Seong Hoon Park stressed the national importance of this initiative, highlighting the critical role of AI and biotech integration in enhancing South Korea's global competitiveness in the bio-industry. The government is committed to providing continuous support for these pioneering research efforts.

J INTS BIO and its partners envision a future shaped by precision medicine and aim to build extensive cancer data infrastructures to support ongoing research and innovation. The consortium plans to present interim results from their "AI-Supercomputing-Based Personalized Lung Cancer Therapy" project at a major international conference in the first half of next year, showcasing the groundbreaking impact and potential of this collaborative effort.