On Friday, December 27, 2024, the 2024 CCADD Year-End Workshop was successfully held at the Seoul National University (SNU) Yongon Campus. The event was attended by Prof. Howard Lee, CCADD members, interns, and alumni. Notably, Research Professor Yoona Choi joined the event in person, while Prof. Asa Johansson and Dr. Tae Kyu Chung participated online, adding an international dimension to the program.

The workshop began with a brief icebreaking session, followed by a series of meaningful presentations. The first presenter, Yunjin Choi, shared her growth and learning experiences over the past six months in her presentation titled “The Serendipitous Road: Lessons from the Past 6 Months.” Next, Yujin Kim reflected on her first year as a graduate student, highlighting her research projects, achievements, and key takeaways. In the afternoon session, Junghyun Won provided a retrospective on her 4.5 years as a graduate student, offering valuable insights into the diverse experiences of graduate life.

The main session reviewed CCADD's accomplishments in 2024, celebrating the research group's growth and achievements. Prof. Howard Lee commended the group’s continued success in research and publications. The workshop then shifted its focus to 2025, with a session outlining a roadmap emphasizing emerging AI concepts and innovative research ideas aligned with the latest trends.

Three special lectures added depth and inspiration to the workshop. Dr. Tae Kyu Chung, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Francisco, delivered a lecture titled “Postdoc Diaries: A Glimpse of Life in the US,” offering a vivid account of his life and research abroad, which resonated strongly with the audience. Research Professor Yoona Choi reflected on her year as a research professor at Child Cancer and Rare Disease Project, Seoul National University Hospital. Her presentation detailed the challenges and achievements of her rigorous research journey, offering valuable insights for fellow researchers. Prof. Asa Johansson from Uppsala University delivered a lecture titled “Pharmacoepidemiology in the Era of Precision Health,” introducing the latest developments in precision medicine and pharmacoepidemiology. Her session provided an opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas with an international expert.

The workshop concluded with an inspiring speech by Prof. Howard Lee, who has been serving as the Dean of the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at SNU. Prof. Lee praised CCADD's remarkable achievements throughout 2024 and expressed his strong support for the group’s ambitious goals in 2025. The 2024 CCADD Year-End Workshop provided members and alumni with a valuable opportunity to strengthen their relationships, exchange ideas, and align on a shared vision for the journey ahead.

Prof. Howard Lee spoke at a conference held by The Korean Society of Food, Drug and Cosmetics Regulatory Sciences, December 13, 2024, in the Hoam Faculty Club, Seoul National University. Prof. Lee discussed the current status and future perspectives as to the application of artificial intelligence technologies to clinical drug development. A newspaper article focused on the point that Prof. Lee emphasized at the Q&A session, where Prof. Lee stressed the establishment of the standards in order for AI to be more broadly accepted into the real-world practices of drug development, particularly for the clinical stage including post-marketing approval.

The semester-long course "Understanding New Health Technology Development" successfully concluded on December 9 with final presentations by students. The event provided an opportunity for participants to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding of the drug development process and gain practical experience with its complexities.

During the presentations, students analyzed and presented the development journey of globally recognized drugs, including Leqembi, Wegovy, and Zolgensma. Each team focused on the New Drug Application (NDA) process, addressing preclinical and clinical phases, regulatory hurdles, and market entry strategies. Their presentations showcased a well-rounded understanding of the scientific, regulatory, and market challenges involved in drug development.

The course was designed to emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in creating new health technologies. Students explored critical decision-making principles at each stage of the development process, equipping themselves with practical knowledge essential for careers in the health tech sector. Key topics in the presentations included — The mechanism of action and scientific foundations of the drugs, Preclinical and clinical testing phases, Regulatory approval procedures, and Market strategies and societal impact.

One student shared, "This course gave us the unique opportunity to design and analyze the entire drug development process, offering invaluable insights that extend beyond theoretical knowledge." The "Understanding New Health Technology Development" course concluded successfully, marking a significant milestone in fostering future professionals equipped to advance the health technology field.

In response to their book published in 2019, later revised in 2024, entitled 'The Age of Biopharmaceuticals Is Coming', Drs. Howard Lee and Siun Kim were interviewed by Korea Job World early this year, which has been posted on YouTube. This interview was primarily focused on biopharmaceuticals in terms of their differences in comparison with small molecule drugs and as to why they have become important recently. Drs. Lee and Kim also discussed what kinds of disciplines and technologies are critical to successfully develop a biopharmaceutical. A full video clip can be watched by clicking the link below.