- MOIP launches patent analysis for 13 projects requested by R&D ministries, covering AI development strategies, convergent space technology development strategies, and blockbuster pharmaceutical market strategies. -

The Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), led by Minister KIM Yong Sun, announced that it will implement the "2026 Industrial Innovation Support Project Based on Patent Big Data" (hereinafter referred to as the "Industrial Innovation Support Project") to support the formulation of national research and development (R&D) strategies and strengthen technological competitiveness in future growth sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), space, and biotechnology.

The Industrial Innovation Support Project is an initiative that analyzes patent big data in advanced industries and technology fields of national importance to assess technology development trends and competitive landscapes, thereby supporting the formulation of R&D strategies. Based on demand from R&D-related ministries and specialized institutions, the project provides customized patent analyses that are used to develop R&D strategies and roadmaps.

Particularly, this year, MOIP will focus its patent analysis on AI, space, biotechnology, and other sectors that are expected to drive future growth amid intensifying global competition for technological leadership.

In the AI sector, MOIP will analyze patents related to AI foundation models held by members of the SAIL consortium,* which is composed primarily of major U.S. AI companies. The analysis will identify technologies that could create a risk of technological dependence for Korea and proactively examine potential threats from multiple perspectives. MOIP also plans to analyze the technological competitiveness of major countries and companies, as well as key patent trends across the physical AI supply chain, to identify promising technologies and potential directions for R&D.

* SAIL (Shared AI License Foundation): A nonprofit patent pool consortium for AI foundation models established on April 8, 2026, primarily by major U.S. AI companies, including Anthropic, Microsoft, Meta, and IBM.

In the space sector, patent analysis will be conducted in areas where the space industry converges with advanced technologies such as robotics, AI, and semiconductors. MOIP will also examine strategies for developing biopharmaceuticals and food products for use in space environments, identifying core technologies and R&D directions needed for the emerging space economy.

In the biotechnology sector, MOIP will conduct an intensive analysis of key patent portfolios related to global blockbuster drugs with upcoming patent expirations and GLP-1 obesity treatments. The analysis is expected to support domestic pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in developing strategies for biosimilar products.

Along with these efforts, patent analysis will also be conducted to strengthen the competitiveness of key regional industries. The program will cover autonomous manufacturing robots in Daegu Metropolitan City, core autonomous-driving components based on software-defined vehicles (SDVs)* in Busan Metropolitan City, and renewable energy industries — including floating solar power and RE100 — in Jeonbuk State. The findings will support the development of region-specific R&D strategies and the growth of new industries.

* SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle): A vehicle in which hardware functions are controlled and managed through software.

Director General KIM Il Gyu of the Intellectual Property Policy Bureau at MOIP stated, "Patent big data is a critical source of information that illustrates the flow of technology development and the future of industries. By analyzing patents in future national growth sectors, such as AI, space, and biotechnology, we will actively support the formulation of national R&D policies so that Korea can secure a competitive advantage in the competition for technological leadership."

MOIP plans to complete the patent analyses by December, provide the findings to the requesting organizations, and make the results publicly available through the Patent Big Data Portal (https://biz.kista.re.kr/pbcenter).

Source: Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), Republic of Korea. Date of original: August 3, 2026. Original link: https://www.moip.go.kr/en/engBultnMgmt.do?board_id=kiponews&catmenu=ek06_01_01