Standigm Inc. (“Standigm”), a leading workflow artificial intelligence (AI) drug discovery company, and SK Chemicals Co., Ltd (“SK Chemicals”), life science and green chemicals company, announced today that they have signed a strategic partnership contract for collaboration regarding the clinical development of Standigm’s AI-driven drug candidate for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”) and the foundation of Standigm’s Synthesis Research Center within the headquarters of SK Chemicals. This partnership was made in conjunction with SK Chemicals’ participation in Standigm’s pre-IPO round of fundraising.

Under the contract, SK Chemicals will collaborate with Standigm on the clinical development of the NASH drug candidate discovered by Standigm Insight, an AI-aided drug-repurposing platform, which is expected to enter the clinical stage next year. Moreover, Standigm plans to open its Synthesis Research Center in the headquarters of SK Chemicals next month. Standigm will be able to synthesize its AI-driven drug candidates directly and efficiently.

"We are pleased that Standigm’s AI-driven drug candidate has found an experienced partner to bring it to successful clinical development," said Jinhan Kim, co-founder and CEO of Standigm, adding, "This partnership will help us to commercialize our AI-driven drug candidates and enhance our ability and expertise in drug development.”

"Since 2019, we have had open innovation collaboration with Standigm, through which we have already experienced Standigm’s advanced technology. Our co-development effort resulted in the patent filing of a repurposed FDA-approved drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) last January”, said Jeonghoon Kim, head of SK Chemicals research center, adding, “This positive experience convinced us that we could create greater synergy by making strategic investment into Standigm.”