[Report] "Japan Innovation Night: Best in Biotech" Showcasing Promising Japanese Biotech Startups during BIO International Convention 2025 in Boston

From June 16th to 19th, the world’s largest biotech business matching event “BIO International Convention 2025” took place in Boston. In conjunction with this event, JETRO (the Japan External Trade Organization) organized “Japan Innovation Night: Best in Boston” to promote collaboration between the U.S. Biotech ecosystem and the Japanese Biotech ecosystem at CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) Cambridge.

 

Prime Minister Ishiba States the Huge Potential of Japan’s Biotech Startups

The event began with a powerful video message from Prime Minister Ishiba, who stated, "The pharmaceutical industry is an important growth engine that leverages Japan’s science and technology capabilities. We are strongly promoting measures to support drug discovery startups so that our pharmaceutical industry will be a driving force for future economic growth." This message highlights the importance and potential impact of Japan's biotech industry on the global stage.

Innovative Japanese Biotech Startup Presentations and Networking Session

10 Japanese Biotech startups gave three-minute pitches to present their latest innovations, partnering strategies, and goals. A networking session was also arranged for after the pitch session.

 

 

Introduction of the Japanese government’s support for U.S. founders

Toshiya Watanabe, Vice President of Science Tokyo gave a presentation titled: ”Why Start Business In Japan?” As part of his presentation, he introduced the J-RISE (Japan Research & Innovation for Scientific Excellence) Initiative, a brand-new program launched by the Japanese government, which is aimed at increasing Japan's attractiveness to researchers.