Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation (DX) are changing the way pharmaceuticals are produced. Manufacturing processes that once relied on human experience are increasingly being managed based on data, enhancing quality control.
During a visit to Handok's production facility in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on August 31, it was evident that data is the foundation of the production line. Handok transitioned to a paperless system in 2011, managing the entire production process through digital data. This accumulated data serves as the basis for AI-driven manufacturing innovation.
Inside the facility, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) transport raw materials. When paths crossed and a vehicle halted, a representative explained, "Just walk past it. The vehicle recognizes people first and either stops or avoids them." Currently, the AGVs only follow pre-set routes, but there are plans to upgrade them to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that can find optimal paths independently. The company is establishing a system where repetitive tasks are handled by the system, allowing workers to focus on production management and quality assurance.
Handok is also developing an 'AI orchestration platform' that extends this approach. This platform features AI agents for various roles, such as production and logistics optimization, quality control, predictive maintenance, and safety management. A supervisory AI adjusts priorities; for instance, in situations where production efficiency conflicts with safety, the system is designed to prioritize safety.
Handok is the only domestic pharmaceutical and biotech company selected for the 2026 AI application product rapid commercialization support project, launching an intelligent factory based on the AI orchestration platform with a budget of 4.2 billion won.
AI orchestration is being introduced for the first time in the pharmaceutical industry. Seo Ui-yeon, head of Handok's production support division, stated, "AI began to be applied in production sites starting in 2024. Prior to that, we were focused on automation and data accumulation. We expect that as AI adoption expands, we will see significant improvements in productivity and operational efficiency starting in 2028."
The next stop was the Plaster factory, which produces the arthritis treatment 'Ketotop.' Despite its total area of 7,632 square meters, monitoring and controlling the entire facility can be done with just one screen.
The screen displays a virtual representation of the actual production facility, showing which equipment is operational, which areas are being cleaned, and the indoor temperature, all in real-time with the push of a button. This is known as a 'digital twin,' a system that replicates the actual production facility in a virtual space for real-time monitoring.
Handok established the digital twin and AI autonomous control system at the Ketotop Plaster factory through a 2025 project supporting the construction of autonomous factories. The AI autonomous control system analyzes process data to optimize production conditions and predict quality anomalies, making Handok the first in the industry to be selected for this initiative.
Leveraging this manufacturing competitiveness, Handok currently provides contract manufacturing organization (CMO) and quality control (QC) services to global pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi and Janssen. The company aims to enhance its global CMO competitiveness by gradually applying AI and digital technologies.
The government is also prioritizing the integration of AI and digital innovation to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness as a key issue for the future of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, expanding related support. Handok was selected for the 2025 Ministry of SMEs and Startups' autonomous factory construction support project, becoming the first in the pharmaceutical industry, and has also been chosen for the smart eco-factory construction project. This year, it was selected for the '2026 rapid commercialization support project for AI application products in manufacturing' and the robot-utilized manufacturing innovation support project, further expanding its manufacturing innovation efforts.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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