SK Telecom and SK Bio-Pharm Discover Effective Substances for AI-Based Targeted Therapy of Incurable Cancers

SK Telecom (CEO Jeong Jae-hyun) announced on the 15th that it, along with SK Bio-Pharm, has identified early-stage effective substances usable for developing targeted therapies for incurable cancers using AI. The two companies generated and screened a large number of binder candidates capable of binding to the protein 'ROR1' found on cancer cell surfaces. SK Bio-Pharm established a new binder discovery strategy based on its new drug development experience, while SK Telecom utilized AI to generate numerous binder candidates, analyzed their potential to bind with ROR1, and selected laboratory verification targets. To overcome limitations from insufficient AI training data, they applied machine learning techniques combining protein fragments in various ways. Reinforcement learning (RL) was also integrated to reward AI with higher rewards for structurally stable combinations, enabling the design of optimal binder structures. During screening, GPU technology was used to process multiple binder candidates in parallel, and AI models were employed to narrow down verification targets by analyzing actual binding possibilities with ROR1. As a result, two binders were confirmed as potential initial effective substances, completing typically 1-2 year research in about five months, reducing research time by over 60%. Other domestic companies are also expanding AI applications in biotech, with LG AI Research Institute expanding into areas such as new drug development, cancer diagnosis, and treatment recommendation. The AI-based new material development platform 'Exaone Discovery' has also secured core technology patents.