The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) announced on the 8th that they have selected the "2026 Health Care Research and Development (R&D) Top 30 Achievements." The final list comprises 16 research papers, six patents, four technology transfers, three commercialization successes, and one unique milestone, all supported by government health care R&D investments.
The Top 30 program aims to boost researcher motivation and share major health care research milestones with the public. KHIDI finalizes the selections after a preliminary screening and a comprehensive review by the Top Achievements Recommendation Committee, drawing from candidates recommended by frontline institutions including KHIDI, the National Cancer Center, the National Center for Mental Health, and the National Rehabilitation Center.
This year’s list highlights innovations expected to have significant industrial ripple effects in sectors such as AI, precision medicine, advanced medical devices, and new-drug development, as well as global technology exports and domestic commercialization breakthroughs. Chosen from basic, applied, and developmental research phases funded by the ministry, the achievements were evaluated for academic excellence, technological innovation, industrial impact, and public health contributions. Research papers made up more than half of the list, while seven achievements successfully advanced to the stages of technology transfer or product commercialization.
AI Analyzes 23,000 ATM Gene Variants to Predict Functions
In the research papers category, a representative achievement was a study titled “Large-scale discovery of ATM gene variants that increase cancer risk,” led by a research team under Professor Kim Hyung-bum at Yonsei University. The ATM gene plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability by detecting damaged DNA and regulating its repair. While mutations in this gene heavily influence cancer risk and patient prognosis, determining the exact function of individual variants has historically been difficult.
Professor Kim’s team introduced approximately 23,000 single-nucleotide variants of the ATM gene into human cells to directly evaluate their functions. Based on these insights, the researchers developed "DeepATM," a deep-learning AI model that predicts the functions of variants whose clinical significance was previously tough to interpret.
The findings were published in September 2025 in the international journal Cell. KHIDI noted that this work establishes a solid foundation for precision medicine, offering new strategies for cancer treatment and patient prognosis tracking.
Artificial intelligence also featured prominently in other clinical breakthroughs. A team led by Professor Yoo Jun-sang at Sungkyunkwan University developed an AI system that forecasts required blood transfusion volumes for patients prior to surgery by linking data with overseas electronic medical records. Meanwhile, a Yonsei University team led by Professor Cheon Geun-ah engineered a differential diagnosis technology that utilizes biohealth data to accurately identify autism spectrum developmental disorders.
Sovargen Exports Pediatric Epilepsy Therapy in 810 Billion-Won Deal
In the technology transfer category, the standout achievement was Sovargen’s pediatric intractable epilepsy treatment candidate, "Sovargen105 (SVG105)." Developed by a team led by Professor Park Sang-min, SVG105 is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapy designed to treat the root cause of the disease by targeting mTOR somatic mutations. After validating its efficacy and safety, Sovargen signed an 810 billion-won global technology export agreement in September 2025 with Angelini Pharma, an Italy-based pharmaceutical company specializing in central nervous system drugs.
Other major technology transfers include AbClon’s overseas licensing of "Nespecel," a CD19-targeting CAR-T cell and gene therapy led by Dr. Lee Jong-seo. The National Cancer Center, led by Dr. Choi Yong-du, successfully transferred technology for theranostic imaging materials and diagnostic medical devices used simultaneously for gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, a high-sensitivity, p-polarized reflectance measurement technology developed by the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science under Dr. Kim Dong-hyung was recognized for its ability to evaluate individual immune toxicity.
Tergaseju Launch and Cosmetics Drive Commercial Success
Three commercialization achievements successfully led to actual product launches and market sales.
Alteogen, led by Dr. Lee Sun-bae, developed "Hybrozyme," a proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase-based platform technology used to convert intravenous biologic drugs into subcutaneous injections. Based on this platform, the company commercialized "Tergaseju," the first standalone recombinant human hyaluronidase formulation developed domestically. Tergaseju received product approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in July 2024 and generated 2.35 billion won in sales by 2025.
In the consumer sector, Cosmax, led by Dr. Lee Jun-bae, commercialized an advanced cosmetic liposome technology, yielding 7.9 billion won in sales. On the clinical front, Korea University Anam Hospital, under Professor Kim Tae-hoon, upgraded a non-face-to-face remote diagnosis robot and successfully commercialized an ultra-precise cancer diagnostic kit based on MUTE-Seq.
Several medical devices also secured regulatory approval, even though they were categorized outside of pure commercial sales. A Kyung Hee University team led by Professor Seo Tae-seok developed a rotating, point-of-care molecular diagnostic system capable of simultaneously detecting seven respiratory viruses—including COVID-19—within 60 minutes from up to 15 specimens.
Mune, led by CEO Oh Gwang-bin, received Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approval for "LABline," an automated system that dramatically reduces the volume of blood discarded when drawing blood via arterial lines in intensive care units. Furthermore, Professor Park Soo-yeon’s team at Dongshin University secured clinical validation and formal approval for a dissolvable microneedle acupuncture device that melts naturally upon skin application.
From Dementia and Cancer to Improving Clinical Practice
The Top 30 list features a high concentration of studies focused on enhancing patient care and upgrading real-world clinical workflows.
In the field of neurodegenerative diseases, notable selections include a Korea-specific genetic risk prediction model for Alzheimer’s disease, the establishment of a sporadic Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, a single-cell molecular brain atlas for Parkinson’s disease, and a multi-domain Korean lifestyle intervention program optimized for dementia prevention.
Cancer breakthroughs were also well-represented, including the identification of precancerous cells that trigger malignant brain tumors and drive intratumoral heterogeneity, optimized treatment strategies for premenopausal hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, and the discovery of specific immune cells capable of directly attacking multiple myeloma.
Public health achievements also included clinical evidence proving that prenatal steroid treatments safely reduce respiratory complications in late-preterm twins, an oxygen-releasing hydrogel that enhances the effects of stem cell therapies, and a specialized microneedle system engineered to deliver therapeutics directly to the retina at the back of the eye.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and KHIDI plan to recommend these selected researchers for government honors at upcoming health care technology promotion events, as well as for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s National R&D Top 100 Achievements. A comprehensive casebook detailing all 30 achievements will be published, supplemented by online promotional content and dedicated exhibitions. Complete, detailed information on each profile will be accessible on the KHIDI website and the Health Care Technology Integrated Information System starting this September.
"The Top 30 Achievements serve as a prime example of how the relentless challenges and innovations pursued by our researchers are translating into world-class scientific discoveries, improved public health, and enhanced global competitiveness for our biohealth industry," said Cha Soon-do, president of KHIDI. "We remain fully committed to providing end-to-end R&D support to ensure these breakthroughs seamlessly transition into technology transfers, commercialization, and global market success."
Health Care R&D Top 30 Achievements: Which Studies Made the List?
This year’s Top 30 includes a wide range of achievements, from cancer and dementia research to AI diagnostics, medical devices, new-drug technology transfers, and product commercialization.
Precision Gene and Complement Therapy Technology: Professor Ko Young-il’s research team at Seoul National University Hospital developed virus- and nucleic acid-based precision gene and complement therapies, successfully advancing them to clinical applications.
Next-Generation Cancer Metabolism Therapy: A National Cancer Center team led by Dr. Kim Soo-yeol derived an innovative anticancer therapy that targets the unique metabolic characteristics of cancer cells, completed via a joint Korea-U.S. research initiative.
Identifying Malignant Brain Tumor Precancerous Cells: A Korea University team led by Professor Kim Hyun-jung successfully mapped the precancerous cells responsible for causing malignant brain tumors and driving variations within tumors.
Large-Scale Analysis of ATM Gene Variants: A Yonsei University team led by Professor Kim Hyung-bum analyzed the biological functions of roughly 23,000 ATM gene mutations linked to cancer risk and developed the "DeepATM" AI prediction model.
High-Capacity DNA Insertion Technology: A research team at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital led by Dr. Park Sung-kook engineered a large-scale profiling technology designed to optimize a precise, large-capacity DNA insertion system.
Premenopausal Metastatic Breast Cancer Strategies: A Samsung Medical Center team led by Professor Park Yeon-hee established a new treatment strategy tailored for premenopausal patients presenting with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Discovering Multiple Myeloma-Targeting Immune Cells: A Seoul National University Hospital team led by Professor Cho Hyun-soo identified novel immune cells capable of launching direct attacks against multiple myeloma cells, a type of blood cancer.
Theranostic Materials for Gastrointestinal Cancer: A National Cancer Center team led by Dr. Choi Yong-du developed and transferred advanced theranostic imaging materials and paired diagnostic medical devices optimized for gastrointestinal cancer care.
Alzheimer’s Genetic Risk Prediction for Koreans: A Samsung Medical Center team led by Professor Kim Hee-jin built a Korea-tailored genetic risk prediction system for Alzheimer’s disease alongside a patient-derived brain organoid validation platform.
Novel Epilepsy Therapy Tech Export (SVG105): A Sovargen team led by Professor Park Sang-min developed SVG105, an RNA therapy targeting mTOR somatic mutations in pediatric intractable epilepsy, executing an 810 billion-won global technology export deal.
Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model: A Sungkyunkwan University team led by Professor Ahn Ji-in successfully established a specialized mouse model to evaluate sporadic Alzheimer's disease and decode its pathological control mechanisms.
Parkinson’s Model and Single-Cell Brain Atlas: A Sungkyunkwan University team led by Professor Lee Yeon-jong engineered a new transgenic Parkinson’s disease model and constructed an intricate molecular brain atlas mapped at the single-cell level.
Global Licensing of CAR-T Therapy Nespecel: An AbClon team led by Dr. Lee Jong-seo successfully executed an overseas technology transfer for "Nespecel," a next-generation CD19-targeting CAR-T cell and gene therapy.
Autism Spectrum Differential Diagnosis AI: A Yonsei University team led by Professor Cheon Geun-ah developed an advanced differential diagnosis technology utilizing biohealth datasets to accurately identify autism spectrum developmental disorders.
Korean-Style Multi-Domain Dementia Prevention: An Inha University team led by Professor Choi Sung-hye validated a Korean lifestyle intervention program for dementia prevention combining tailored exercise, cognitive training, and nutritional tracking, establishing a foundation for public rollout.
Highly Sensitive Individual Immune Toxicity Tracking: A Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science team led by Dr. Kim Dong-hyung developed and licensed out a p-polarized reflectance measurement technology that precisely monitors individual immune toxicity.
Noninvasive Diagnosis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Yonsei University team led by Professor Na Min-seok identified novel biomarkers within nasal secretions to noninvasively diagnose type 2 chronic rhinosinusitis.
Dissolvable Microneedle Acupuncture Device: A Dongshin University team led by Professor Park Soo-yeon secured clinical validation and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approval for an innovative microneedle acupuncture device that dissolves completely on the skin.
Rapid Point-of-Care 7-Virus Molecular Diagnostics: A Kyung Hee University team led by Professor Seo Tae-seok developed a rotating, point-of-care diagnostic system capable of identifying seven respiratory viruses simultaneously from up to 15 samples within 60 minutes.
Blood-Conserving ICU Arterial Line System (LABline): A team at Mune led by CEO Oh Gwang-bin secured medical device approval for "LABline," an automated system engineered to minimize diagnostic blood waste in intensive care units.
Predictive Surgical Transfusion AI: A Sungkyunkwan University team led by Professor Yoo Jun-sang developed an AI model that forecasts required surgical blood transfusion volumes by integrating data with international electronic medical record networks.
Reducing Respiratory Risks in Late-Preterm Twins: A clinical team at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital led by Professor Jeon Jong-gwan proved that targeted prenatal steroid administration significantly reduces respiratory complications in late-preterm twin births.
Atopic Dermatitis Skin Organoid Modeling: A Seoul National University team led by Professor Kang Kyung-seon engineered an advanced method to construct true-to-life atopic dermatitis models using skin organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells.
3D Bioprinted Patches for Ovarian Transplantation: A team at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital led by Professor Shin Jung-woo developed an angiogenesis-promoting, 3D bioprinted hydrogel patch to support ovarian tissue grafts and artificial ovary engineering.
Oxygen-Supplying Hydrogels for Stem Cell Success: A Kyung Hee University team led by Professor Lee Jae-seo developed a unique hydrogel platform that delivers steady oxygen to transplanted stem cells, significantly boosting their therapeutic survival and impact.
Precision Homing Cell-Targeting AAV Vectors: A Yonsei University team led by Professor Jang Jae-hyung engineered and licensed out an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery vector platform programmed to target specific cells within the human body.
Hydrogel Microneedles for Retinal Drug Delivery: A Yonsei University team led by Professor Jung Hyung-il created a pathway-forming hydrogel microneedle technology capable of safely delivering therapeutic compounds to the retina at the back of the eye.
Remote Diagnosis Robotics and MUTE-Seq Cancer Kits: A Korea University Anam Hospital team led by Professor Kim Tae-hoon upgraded a non-face-to-face clinical diagnostics robot and commercialized an ultra-precise cancer diagnostic kit leveraging MUTE-Seq.
Alteogen Commercializes Tergaseju Formulation: An Alteogen team led by Dr. Lee Sun-bae engineered a platform converting intravenous biologics to subcutaneous forms, successfully launching "Tergaseju," a standalone recombinant human hyaluronidase formulation that secured 2.35 billion won in 2025 sales.
Cosmax Commercializes Advanced Cosmetic Liposomes: A Cosmax team led by Dr. Lee Jun-bae successfully brought advanced cosmetic liposome technology to market, generating 7.9 billion won in commercial sales.
