LG Chem integrates AI as core engine for drug discovery

LG Chem hosted the ‘2026 LG AI Bio Conference’ in Seoul alongside LG AI Research and US-based venture capital firm Flagship Pioneering. The event brought together approximately 140 industry professionals to discuss the future of AI-driven drug development and industrial innovation.

LG Chem aims to utilize AI to enhance precision oncology by refining patient selection through biomarker-based clinical trials. Ji-woong Son, President of the Life Sciences Business Division at LG Chem, stated that AI is evolving from a mere tool into a core engine of competitiveness, noting that future success lies in identifying the ‘Right Patient’ alongside the ‘Right Drug’.

A key focus of the company’s strategy is the development of personalized mRNA cancer vaccines. LG Chem is building advanced AI models to predict neoantigens that induce immune responses in cancer cells. The company plans to move into preclinical trials by 2027, with full-scale clinical development expected to begin in 2029.

Global industry experts also contributed to the conference, including representatives from Flagship Pioneering, Insilico Medicine, and Lyla Science, who discussed topics such as generative AI for drug candidates and the concept of ‘Autonomous Labs’ where AI manages design, synthesis, and experimentation.