Success Stories

Creating the Future of Health through CELLINK's Biotech Tools

CELLINK is a leading 3D bioprinting company committed to providing the most advanced 3D bioprinting products, services and technologies needed to understand and master biology. Founded in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2016, the company develops technologies that democratize 3D bioprinting, providing researchers with the tools they need to create the medicines of the future.

We spoke with CELLINK's Head of Sales, Applications and Support (APAC), Tomoko Bylund, to find out more about the company's award-winning technologies and how they successfully entered the Japan market, integrating rapidly into the country's vibrant biotech sector centered in Kyoto and engaging in fruitful industry-academia collaborations with the aim of becoming an indispensable tool to speed up the drug discovery process.

Establishment
2020/02
Destination
Kinki・Kyoto

  • Biotechnology & Lifescience
  • Sweden

Update : 2024/03

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Democratizing 3D Bioprinting

CELLINK started out as the world's first manufacturer of "bioinks," biomaterials containing living cells that can be 3D bioprinted to fabricate biomimetic models of tissues and organs, as well as diseases. Yet it soon became evident that despite the potential, few researchers had access to the very expensive 3D bioprinters available at the time.

CELLINK's Head of Sales, Applications and Support (APAC), Tomoko Bylund

So CELLINK decided to design and develop its own 3D bioprinter and make its mission nothing less than the democratization of 3D bioprinting, both in terms of cost and ease of use: "We focused on developing the system to be as intuitive as possible," says Bylund, "which earned CELLINK a prestigious Red Dot Design Award for the BIO X6 bioprinter." (Red Dot is an international design competition organized by Red Dot GmbH & Co. KG.)

Bio printer 'BIO X6'

From Gothenburg to Kyoto

In 2017—little more than a year after the company was founded—CELLINK was already eyeing expansion beyond its native Sweden and considering Japan, a country known for its advanced biotech sector: "Japan excels in research and development, especially in the fields of drug and therapeutic discovery, and regenerative medicine. So, we thought that Japan would be the perfect market to enter as a first step into the wider Asian market," says Bylund.

At around the same time, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine was establishing the Innovation Hub Kyoto, an incubation center for startup companies like CELLINK. "The director of the Innovation Hub had already reached out to the city of Gothenburg, which was supporting local startup companies," recounts Bylund, "We were offered a space in the Incubation Center as a start." The fortuitous connection allowed CELLINK to establish an initial presence in Japan with relative ease.

Choosing Kyoto as a base in Japan was a strategic decision, considering the city's strong research community centered around Kyoto University: "We thought that with our base in Kyoto, we had a better chance of success, and stronger opportunities to collaborate with researchers leading innovations that mattered to us," says Bylund.

With the decision made, CELLINK turned to JETRO Kyoto for help in setting up their new Japan entity. The company already had links with JETRO Kyoto, who had reached out to them after their participation in BioJapan, an industry partnering event in Yokohama. JETRO Kyoto provided valuable support in setting up the entity in Japan, assisting with the company registration process as well as introducing labor lawyers and accountants to ensure the smooth running of the new business.

CELLINK's entry into Japan, however, was not without its challenges. Bylund acknowledges significant cultural differences in customer expectations, customer support and general business practices compared to the US or Europe—all of which made establishing a solid local presence vital: "Our local presence in Japan was a key factor to our success in the Japanese market. It allowed us to recruit employees in Japan, and having a team available locally meant we could offer support for researchers in Japan, enhancing our presence."

Since the establishment of CELLINK in Japan, the installed base of their 3D bioprinter systems has experienced substantial growth. From around 30 labs before CELLINK entered Japan, the company has now surpassed one hundred in just three years, making Japan CELLINK's third largest market after the United States and United Kingdom.

Office work scene

Collaborating with Kyoto University: Bridging Academia and Industry

From the very beginning, a pivotal aspect of CELLINK's Japanese venture was its collaboration with Kyoto University. The collaboration involves not only providing technology but actively engaging with researchers to understand their needs: "Actual science has to be done by the scientists. In our industry, we work with researchers to better understand their needs and develop technology to contribute to their research and development activities," explains Bylund.

Looking Ahead: Future Vision in Japan

As CELLINK cements its presence in Japan, the company envisions playing a pivotal role in the pharmaceutical industry: "We know that our technology can be a useful tool to speed up the drug discovery process," explains Bylund, "The goal is to introduce and implement CELLINK's 3D bioprinting technology to enhance the pharmaceutical industry by offering alternatives to conventional drug testing methods."

Reflecting on CELLINK's journey into Japan, Bylund advises other biotech companies eyeing the Japanese market: "Jump in, and you will find plenty of opportunity. Establish a real presence through a local team who understands local needs. This team will be pivotal to your success."

The operation of "BIO X6"

CELLINK's journey is marked by technological innovation, strategic market entry and fruitful collaborations. As the company continues to reshape the landscape of biotechnology, its story in Japan exemplifies a harmonious blend of cutting-edge science, industry-academia collaboration and a commitment to democratizing access to revolutionary technologies.

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