FRONTEO and Institute of Science Tokyo Launch Joint Research on New Drug Discovery Targets Using the Drug Discovery AI Factory

In this joint research, FRONTEO’s proprietary AI “KIBIT” and its AI drug discovery support service, Drug Discovery AI Factory (hereinafter “DDAIF”)¹, will be integrated with Institute of Science Tokyo’s wet-lab validation technologies. The goal is to efficiently identify promising drug targets in disease areas with high unmet medical needs².
FRONTEO will use DDAIF to generate hypotheses by extracting potential drug target molecules, while Institute of Science Tokyo will conduct in vitro³ efficacy validation and analyze drug action mechanisms⁵ using the PLOM-CON⁴ technique. Intellectual property resulting from this joint research will be considered for partial or full acquisition by FRONTEO in consultation with the Institute of Science Tokyo.

Challenges in Drug Discovery and the 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 reduced the speed and lowered the success rate of R&D.
This collaboration seeks to bridge that gap by combining the hypothesis-generation capabilities of DDAIF with Institute of Science Tokyo’s advanced medical and pharmaceutical knowledge and experimental expertise. Together, they aim to identify highly novel targets and develop innovative drugs that address unmet medical needs.

Comment from Masayuki Murata, Specially Appointed Professor, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo

“For wet-lab researchers like us, who formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and validate them, it has become increasingly important to optimally use recent multidimensional biological data and integrate vast, cross-disciplinary knowledge to design experimental systems.
Validating FRONTEO’s AI-generated hypotheses through cell-based wet experiments, including our PLOM-CON analytical method and resealable cell technology developed by myself and Professor Fumi Kano, is not only mutually beneficial, but we also expect it will enable the creation of a hybrid drug discovery support system that combines FRONTEO’s strength in hypothesis-driven science with our data-driven science.”

Comment from Hiroyoshi Toyoshiba, Director / CSO, FRONTEO

“We are delighted to conduct joint research in which novel drug targets identified by FRONTEO’s AI analysis of existing literature can be validated end-to-end for efficacy and mechanism of action using Institute of Science Tokyo’s cutting-edge wet-lab techniques.
We expect that this will provide scientific validation of the soundness and practical utility of our technology. Our aim is to link the outcomes of this research to the development of innovative drugs, thereby addressing unmet medical needs, improving the quality of healthcare, and contributing to academic advancement.”

Notes:

1. An AI drug discovery support service provided by FRONTEO’s drug discovery experts, combining the natural language processing technology of KIBIT with proprietary analytical methods to propose potential target molecules, therapeutic indications, and supporting hypotheses.
2. The need for new treatments or drugs for diseases with no effective therapy.
3. “In vitro” refers to non-clinical tests conducted in an artificial environment, such as a test tube or culture dish, to examine the effects of drugs or changes in cells/tissues.
4. A technique for analyzing changes in the quantity, quality, and spatiotemporal localization of proteins within a single cell to understand cell signaling, disease states, and pharmacological effects.

・Reference: Institute of Science Tokyo press release, “Construction of Protein Co-variation Networks from Cell Staining Images—Development of a Novel Analytical Method to Capture ‘Cell States’ for Accelerated Drug Discovery” https://www.titech.ac.jp/news/2021/061334

5. The mechanism by which a drug is absorbed and exerts its effects on a disease or symptom.

■ About FRONTEO Drug Discovery AI Factory (DDAIF)  

 https://lifescience.fronteousa.com/products/drug-discovery-ai-factory/

FRONTEO Drug Discovery AI Factory (DDAIF) is an AI drug discovery support service that combines KIBIT, an AI specialized in natural language processing (patented in Japan and the U.S.), with the expertise of FRONTEO's drug discovery researchers and AI engineers. By analyzing disease-related gene networks and building hypotheses about target candidates, DDAIF provides powerful support for researchers' decision-making in drug development.
This service has already been adopted by several major pharmaceutical companies and has a proven track record.

■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.