FRONTEO and Chugai Pharmaceutical launch co-creation project for target discovery utilizing Drug Discovery AI Factory

Challenges in drug discovery and significance of this project

In recent years, the diversification and growing complexity of target diseases in pharmaceutical R&D have created a need for the discovery of highly novel target molecules and mechanisms that are difficult to explore with traditional research methods.
Furthermore, a gap in the processes and knowledge between dry research (AI-driven data analysis) and wet research (biological validation with cells and animals) has slowed the speed and lowered the success rate of R&D.

This project combines FRONTEO's "Drug Discovery AI Factory (DDAIF)" *¹ an AI-powered drug discovery support service specializing in hypothesis generation, with Chugai's extensive drug discovery expertise, with the aim of accelerating the company's R&D efforts toward the creation of first-in-class/best-in-class new drugs.

Comment from FRONTEO Director/CSO Hiroyoshi Toyoshiba

"We are truly delighted to collaborate with Chugai Pharmaceutical, a company that continues to create innovative drugs addressing unmet medical needs*², at the forefront of AI drug discovery.
FRONTEO’s DDAIF is operated by a team of drug discovery researchers and AI engineers working in close collaboration, enabling the identification of new targets and the generation of hypotheses from vast volumes of information. By combining Chugai’s deep drug discovery expertise with our AI technology, we aim to improve the success rate and efficiency of drug discovery, ultimately leading to the identification of novel targets.”

FRONTEO will also apply the patented natural language processing technology of its proprietary AI, KIBIT, in co-creation projects currently underway with multiple pharmaceutical companies. Through these initiatives, FRONTEO aims to further improve drug development success rates for its clients and contribute to better health outcomes worldwide.

Note:

*1 This AI drug discovery support service utilizes KIBIT's natural language processing technology and proprietary analytical methods to help FRONTEO's drug discovery experts, who are well-versed in AI and drug discovery, identify target molecules and indications and provide supporting hypotheses.
*2 The need for new drugs and treatments for diseases for which no effective treatments have yet been found.

■About FRONTEO, Inc. https://www.fronteo.com/en/

FRONTEO provides its proprietary specialized AI KIBIT to support expert judgment across domains confronting social challenges. Its unique natural language processing technology (patented in Japan, the U.S., and Europe) enables fast, high-precision analysis without reliance on training data volume or computational power. Additionally, patented technology that maps (visualizes structure) analyzed information allows KIBIT to directly influence expert insights, and in recent years, KIBIT has been applied in hypothesis generation and target discovery for drug development.

To achieve the philosophy of "providing solutions that do not overlook risks and opportunities buried in records and realizing fairness in the information society," FRONTEO is promoting the social implementation of KIBIT's unique technology and AI solutions in the following areas: life science AI, risk management (business intelligence and compliance support, economic security, and legal tech AI), and DX (business intelligence and professional support).

Founded in August 2003, FRONTEO was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market (now the Growth Market) on June 26, 2007. The company has offices in Japan, the U.S., and South Korea, and holds a Type 1 Marketing License for Medical Devices as well as registration for the sale of controlled medical devices. As of March 31, 2025, FRONTEO’s capital stands at 899,176,000 yen.

*The technology used in Drug Discovery AI Factory is protected by 21 patents held by FRONTEO in Japan, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe.
**FRONTEO, KIBIT, and Drug Discovery AI Factory are trademarks or registered trademarks of FRONTEO in Japan, Europe, the U..S, and South Korea.