Oncocross, a Seoul-based artificial intelligence (AI) drug discovery and development biotech startup, has signed a joint research agreement with JW Pharmaceutical to develop new drugs based on the AI platform.

Under this contract, the two companies will join research efforts to identify and verify development possibilities for new indications for the 'first-in-class' drug pipeline that JW Pharmaceutical is developing in the area of anticancer and regenerative medicine.

For this purpose, Oncocross’s proprietary AI platform RAPTOR AI will be utilised. RAPTOR AI is an AI drug development platform that screens the optimal or additional indications for drug candidates or existing drugs. The platform provides AI capabilities necessary for pharmaceutical companies' new drug development, resulting in higher accuracy, reduced cost, and shorter development time compared to traditional methods.

Previously, the two companies signed a joint research agreement to identify new indications for drug candidates in 2022. Through this joint research, JW Pharmaceutical has secured positive data on expanding an orphan disease indication for the new drug candidate and is establishing a follow-up development plan.