Three-way MOU targets social cognition gaps left by conventional drug therapy

Representatives pose for a photo after signing an MOU for the co-development of Affectus, a software as a medical device aimed at improving social cognitive function in schizophrenia patients. From left: Lee Je-young, CEO of Bukwang Pharmaceutical; Choi Jeong-seok, professor at Samsung Medical Center; and Yoon Jeong-hyeon, CEO of Blue Signum. [Bukwang Pharmaceutical]
Representatives pose for a photo after signing an MOU for the co-development of Affectus, a software as a medical device aimed at improving social cognitive function in schizophrenia patients. From left: Lee Je-young, CEO of Bukwang Pharmaceutical; Choi Jeong-seok, professor at Samsung Medical Center; and Yoon Jeong-hyeon, CEO of Blue Signum. [Bukwang Pharmaceutical]

Bukwang Pharmaceutical has teamed up with Samsung Medical Center and mental wellness startup Blue Signum to co-develop a digital therapeutics (DTx) product designed to improve social cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.

Bukwang Pharmaceutical announced Thursday that the three parties signed a memorandum of understanding on Oct. 15 to jointly develop Affectus, a software as a medical device (SaMD).

The signing ceremony was attended by Bukwang Pharmaceutical CEO Lee Je-young, Samsung Medical Center psychiatry professor Choi Jeong-seok and Blue Signum CEO Yoon Jeong-hyeon.

Under the agreement, the three organizations will build a close collaboration framework spanning the full development cycle of Affectus — from exploratory and confirmatory clinical trials to product refinement, regulatory approval, clinical deployment and commercialization.

Affectus is a software medical device that uses digital-based social cognition training to help schizophrenia patients recover daily functioning and reintegrate into society. An exploratory clinical trial is currently underway at Samsung Medical Center.

The project addresses an unmet medical need: while existing drug treatments are effective at controlling positive symptoms such as auditory hallucinations and delusions, they have clear limitations in improving social cognitive function — a key factor in interpersonal relationships and social adaptation.

Bukwang Pharmaceutical will contribute its long-accumulated expertise in central nervous system (CNS) disorders and drug commercialization. Samsung Medical Center's clinical research capabilities and Blue Signum's digital technology and interface development strengths will be combined with that foundation to generate synergies.

The collaboration marks a strategic move by a traditional CNS drug specialist to proactively build a drug-digital combination treatment model — using digital therapeutics to address the clear limitations of pharmacotherapy — and to secure a next-generation mental healthcare pipeline.

"Functional recovery that leads patients back to daily life, alongside symptom control, is the core challenge in treating schizophrenia," Lee said. "We will work together, drawing on Bukwang's CNS expertise, to create treatment options that offer real help to patients."

"Improving social cognitive function is essential for social reintegration, going beyond simple symptom relief," Choi said. "I hope this agreement leads to successful development and contributes to the full recovery of patients."

Yoon said the company would "maximize partnership synergies based on our experience developing global mental health services."


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