Original Source

The South Korean government will invest a total of ₩45 billion (approximately $33 million) to support the rapid commercialization of AI-based digital medical devices, aiming to overcome the 'Death Valley' period.

Government to Accelerate AI Medical Device Commercialization

The South Korean government is moving to support the rapid commercialization of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital medical devices. This initiative stems from the belief that overcoming the prolonged 'Death Valley' period, where commercialization faces significant delays, is crucial. The government plans to dismantle market entry barriers such as clinical trials, new medical technology evaluations, and insurance coverage, which are difficult for companies to navigate independently, thereby fostering product diffusion within the medical market.

Part of Inter-Ministerial Project with ₩45 Billion Investment

On the 31st, the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a 'Rapid Commercialization Support Project Briefing for AI Applications' to inform digital medical device manufacturers about the project's objectives and details. This project is part of the inter-ministerial 'AX-Sprint Project,' which has a total scale of ₩754 billion (approximately $550 million) and aims to facilitate rapid AI transformation (AX) across various sectors. A total of ₩45 billion will be invested specifically for this initiative, with ₩28 billion from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and ₩17 billion allocated to the broader health sector. Within the health sector, ₩8 billion is earmarked for digital medical devices and ₩9 billion for chronic disease management.

*Source: 데일리메디 (2026-03-31)*

Related Articles