#South Korea #Seoul #LG AI Research #D&D Pharmatech #oral peptides

LG AI Research and D&D Pharmatech Collaboration

In a significant step towards revolutionizing drug development, LG AI Research has sealed a partnership with D&D Pharmatech. Announced on June 17, 2026, at LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul, this collaboration signifies a dedication to advancing next-generation oral peptide drugs.

What This Collaboration Entails

The agreement was formalized in the presence of key executives from both companies, including Woohyung Lim, Hwayoung Lee, and Jongseong Jang from LG, along with CEO Seulki Lee and CFO Sunghoon Hong from D&D Pharmatech. Their shared vision is to create an AI-driven approach to tackle complexities in the drug discovery process, predominantly through cutting-edge peptide therapeutics.

According to Woohyung Lim, the Head of LG AI Research, the partnership would harness AI capabilities to enhance drug discovery efficiently. He stated, "This collaboration goes beyond the simple adoption of technology; it represents a journey toward creating bio-specialized AI that addresses complex challenges in drug discovery." The project focuses on the development of oral medications for chronic conditions, a field previously reliant on injected peptides due to the instability of oral forms in digestive environments.

The Significance of Peptides in Medicine

Peptides, which are short chains of amino acids constituting proteins, are proving to play a vital role in regulating various physiological functions in the human body. They have high safety profiles as they selectively target disease-causing agents in cells, areas where traditional antibody drugs cannot effectively reach. However, historically, their use has been limited due to their degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, which has resulted in a reliance on injectable forms of therapy.

Rethinking Drug Delivery Through AI

The partnership aims to leverage AI technology to transform the administration of peptide drugs into oral tablets. By enhancing safety and absorption rates through smart design methods, they anticipate shortening drug development timelines drastically while also reducing costs. Leveraging molecular design technologies driven by AI will also help elevate the clinical success rates of these peptide drugs.

The Roles of Each Company

As part of this collaboration, LG AI Research will develop AI models tailored to discover and design peptide candidates, analyzing disease-specific structures to create optimized peptide sequences on a larger scale than conventional methods allow. Meanwhile, D&D Pharmatech will manage the structural synthesis, design, and evaluation of the candidates crafted by LG. They possess proprietary formulation technologies that will facilitate oral delivery while navigating the complexities of preclinical and clinical development and regulatory approvals globally.

A continuous feedback mechanism between the companies will enhance the process, with AI-generated candidates being validated and results used to optimize development models.

LG AI Research: Leading the Future of AI in Biotechnology

LG AI Research has been making strides in creating innovative AI models tailored for biotechnological applications. Notably, they are pushing the envelope with projects like the 'Cancer Agentic AI', a platform developed in partnership with experts from Vanderbilt University. This program utilizes AI to support oncology professionals by accelerating analyses to real-time feedback from cancer tissue samples compared to the previous waiting period of over two weeks.

Moreover, LG has registered patents for EXAONE Discovery, an AI-driven experimental design tool that shortcuts the discovery process for promising candidates, making it significantly faster than traditional means. The company's focus on AI as a transformative techno-commercial tool is underscored by Kwang Mo Koo, Chairman and CEO of LG Corp., positioning AI and bio-tech as pivotal in reshaping customer experiences.

Conclusion

As LG AI Research and D&D Pharmatech embark on this promising journey, the partnership has the potential to redefine the landscape of drug development, particularly in the realm of peptide therapeutics. This collaboration not only marks a significant technological advancement but also reflects a broader vision of integrating AI with biotechnology to address pressing health challenges.