Outstanding achievements from industry and academia generated during the second phase of Korea's Dementia Research and Development Project, conducted over two years, were unveiled. Awards were also presented for five research accomplishments spanning dementia and brain disease research, product commercialization, and technology transfers.
The Korea Dementia Research Project (KDRP) held the "Phase 2 Dementia Research and Development Project Outstanding Achievements Sharing Session" on Thursday at The Plaza Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by KDRP Director Mook Inhee, Jung Eun-young, Director-General of the Health Industry Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT, and principal investigators of the outstanding achievements.
Jointly promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Dementia Research and Development Project was launched in 2020. After establishing the foundation for dementia-related technology development in Phase 1, Phase 2 (2023-2025) produced results across areas including identification of dementia causes, prediction and early diagnosis, prevention and treatment, and global joint research. According to the project group, the achievements include 505 papers, 222 domestic and international patent applications and registrations, two technology transfers, and 14 approvals of domestic and international clinical trial plans.
Among these, five principal investigators who led outstanding paper publications, product approvals and commercialization, and global technology transfers were named award recipients, followed by case presentations from the winners.
Neurophet, which has participated in the Dementia Research and Development Project since its early stages, was recognized for developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution capable of early diagnosis, treatment management, and long-term monitoring of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The company is cited as a representative case of successful commercialization, having obtained product approvals both domestically and internationally. "Neurophet developed multiple products, obtained certifications, and generated actual sales," Director Mook said in her congratulatory remarks.
Companies that achieved global technology transfers were also introduced. Cureverse developed an Nrf2 activator candidate and transferred the technology to global pharmaceutical company Angelini Pharma in a deal worth 500 billion won ($365 million), while ADEL succeeded in exporting an Alzheimer's disease candidate targeting tau protein to Sanofi. The contract totals 1.53 trillion won ($1.12 billion), including an upfront payment of 118 billion won ($86 million).
In academia, Professor Kim Sang-woo of Yonsei University, who conducted "Development of Mosaic Mutation Analysis Methods in Brain Tissue," and Professor Cho Han-sang of Sungkyunkwan University, who researched "Development of Human Dementia Brain Organ-on-a-Chip and Commercialization of Drug Efficacy Evaluation Services for Brain Diseases," received awards.
The KDRP plans to launch Phase 3 of the project and pursue a follow-up project in 2029 without interruption. "The project group will develop so that (Korea) can establish itself as first class at least in the field of dementia," Mook stressed. Jung also said, "It is highly significant that the research results of the dementia project are leading to industrial outcomes," adding, "We will pay special attention to budget support so that researchers can continue producing results."
