Lunit (328130.KQ), a medical artificial intelligence (AI) company, said Wednesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Severance Hospital to jointly develop, research and clinically deploy medical AI based on a medical science foundation model. Following an earlier partnership with the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, the latest agreement establishes a base for applying the medical science foundation model across both leading public and private healthcare institutions.
A medical science foundation model is a healthcare-specialized AI model trained on vast amounts of medical literature, clinical data and treatment guidelines. Built on this foundation, applied AI tools tailored to various purposes such as clinical support and hospital operations can be developed rapidly. Through this agreement, the two institutions plan to jointly develop such applied AI tools, deploy them in actual clinical settings, and progressively extend the work to commercialization and broader adoption in the medical field.
Specifically, the two sides will cooperate on identifying clinical and operational application scenarios for the medical science foundation model; conducting research, development and on-site deployment of applied AI based on the model; linking the developed technologies to wider diffusion and commercialization; and pursuing data collaboration and joint projects for technology development.
"We have agreed with Severance Hospital, which has led the advancement of medical care in Korea, to develop AI using a medical science foundation model and apply it in clinical settings," Lunit CEO Seo Bum-seok said. "By combining Severance Hospital's extensive clinical experience with Lunit's proven AI technology, we will enhance the efficiency of medical practice and contribute to innovation in patient-centered healthcare services."
The signing ceremony was held on the 14th at the Severance Hospital president's office. Attendees included Lunit CEO Seo Bum-seok and Chief AI Officer Yoo Dong-geun, along with Severance Hospital President Lee Kang-young, Vice President for Research Kim Eo-soo, and Digital Health Office Director Lim Joon-seok, among other key officials from both institutions.
Severance Hospital is one of Korea's leading medical institutions, equipped with longstanding clinical experience and a rich pool of clinical data. Lunit plans to leverage these resources to accelerate the development of applied AI that can be used practically in medical settings and to expand its deployment in clinical practice.
