KAIST completed construction of an advanced biomedical animal research building at its Munji Campus in Daejeon and reorganized related bio-research infrastructure. The facility cost roughly 30 billion won, covers 6,585 square meters, and has 14,000 animal cages accommodating up to 70,000 lab animals—the largest such facility in Korea. Seoul Economic Daily and Daily Bizon reported.

Animal-alternative testing and drug-development strategy

KAIST plans to develop the facility not merely as expanded animal-testing infrastructure but as a long-term research hub for advanced alternative testing methods that reduce reliance on animals. The goal is to integrate technologies—human-mimicking organoids, cell-based toxicity assays—that predict drug responses without animals into drug-development pipelines.

The facility will also be open to bio-venture companies, aiming to build a virtuous cycle from basic research to commercialization. Through cooperation with KAIST's Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering and related centers, the facility is expected to anchor the training of physician-scientists and the development of advanced medical technologies.

As discussion of reducing animal testing and mandating alternative methods spreads through the international pharmaceutical industry, KAIST's move is seen as a proactive step to align Korea's life-science research capacity with global standards.