LG Chem is revolutionizing its drug development process by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency across the board, from identifying new drug candidates to selecting patients for clinical trials. The company’s strategy goes beyond simply improving drug efficacy; it aims to precisely pinpoint patients most likely to respond positively to treatment, thereby significantly boosting the chances of clinical success.
On Tuesday, LG Chem hosted the inaugural 2026 LG AI Bio Conference at LG Science Park in Seoul, in partnership with LG AI Research and Flagship Pioneering, a leading American biotech venture capital firm. The event drew over 140 representatives from AI biotech companies worldwide, fostering discussions on the future of AI-driven drug development and potential collaborations.
LG Chem is particularly focused on harnessing AI for patient selection and treatment strategy development in precision oncology. The company plans to analyze tumor biology to identify biomarkers and select patients with the highest likelihood of treatment response.
During his opening address, Son Ji-woong, President of LG Chem’s Life Sciences Division, emphasized that AI has evolved from a mere tool to a core engine driving competitiveness in drug development. The future of pharmaceutical innovation lies not only in discovering structurally superior drugs but also in using AI to identify the right patients who will benefit most from these treatments.
LG Chem is also making strides in developing a personalized messenger RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccine, a key project in its AI-based drug development portfolio.
The company is currently developing and refining an AI model to predict patient-specific neoantigens that stimulate immune responses against cancer cells. This approach aims to analyze each patient’s unique cancer cell characteristics to identify optimal treatment targets and design tailored cancer vaccines.
LG Chem has set an ambitious timeline, aiming to complete preclinical trials next year and enter full-scale clinical development by 2029. By leveraging AI, the company intends to enhance the accuracy of patient-specific treatment target predictions and strengthen its position in the personalized cancer therapy market.
Global Biotech Leaders Share AI Drug Development Insights
The conference featured presentations from global biotech companies showcasing their AI applications in drug development.
Andre Andonian, Chairman of Asia-Pacific at Flagship Pioneering, underscored the importance of expanding collaboration with LG Chem in AI-based life sciences. He highlighted examples from industry leaders like Moderna and Lila Science, illustrating how AI has become a crucial growth driver in the biotech sector.
Zhu Wang, Global Business Development Head at Insilico Medicine, presented a groundbreaking case where a drug candidate discovered using generative AI successfully progressed to clinical trials. Ryan Lung, Head of Life Sciences Products at Lila Science, introduced the concept of an autonomous laboratory where AI agents continuously design, synthesize, experiment, and learn.
The panel discussion explored strategies for biomarker discovery and patient selection using cutting-edge technologies such as cancer whole-genome sequencing and spatial biology-based AI.
LG Chem is committed to expanding its AI applications beyond initial drug discovery to encompass clinical trial design and patient selection, aiming to solidify its position as a leader in innovative drug development.