LINK-J, BioLabs, and Mitsui Fudosan have been selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for the “TIB CATAPULT (Cluster Creation Project for Challenging Global Innovation),” and have launched the operation of a startup incubation cluster in the life science field “LINK-BioBAY TOKYO”, a startup incubation cluster in the life science field.
Through the collaboration of the three parties with proven track records in Japan and the U.S., we will provide various support measures that will contribute to the global growth of Japanese life science startups.
We are pleased to announce an upcoming event associated with the BioLabs Masterclass Program.
This event will feature a pitch contest by life science startups selected for the program.
Awards will be presented based on both judges' evaluations and audience votes.
We will also host sessions on the life science ecosystem and startup support - great for discovering new trends and collaboration opportunities.
Prior to the start of the event, we will host a lab tour of Mitsui Link-Lab Shinkiba 2, where participants will be guided through parts of the research facilities.
We warmly welcome all those interested in life science startups and startup support systems to join us.
<What is LINK-BioBAY TOKYO?>
- Innovation cluster selected for TIB CATAPULT
- Collaboration between LINK-J, Mitsui Fudosan, and BioLabs (global incubator)
- Establishment of Nihonbashi & Shinkiba life science startup incubation bases
- Provision of laboratory space, experimental equipment and other equipment, and business support programs
- Holding matching events and other events to promote exchange of human resources, assets, and funds
- Mentoring and incubation program provided by BioLabs
Date: Thu, October 16th, 2025 3:45PM-7:30PM (3:00 Doors Open, 3:20-3:45 Lab Tour, 3:45-7:30 Pitch event and Networking)
Mitsui Link-Lab Shinkiba 2 Conference rooms ABCD
1-17-8, Shinkiba, Koutou-ku, Tokyo
(Opens an external site)
Registration due date
Tue, October 14th, 2025 11:00PM *Registration will close as soon as capacity is reached.
*If you would like to participate in the lab tour, please check "Lab Tour" in the checkbox when you register.
*Please arrive at the venue by 3:20 PM on the day of the event if you are joining the lab tour.
Program
1. Lab tour
Time | Agenda |
3:00PM | Doors open |
3:20-3:45 | Lab tour of Mitsui Link-Lab Shinkiba 2 |
2. TIB CATAPULT/LINK-BioBAY TOKYO Pitch event & Networking
Time | Agenda |
3:45-4:00PM | Opening |
4:00-4:30 | Keynote panel discussion <Moderator> Ikuo Hayashi, Ph.D. (General Manager, LINK-J) <Panelists> Mr. Hirokazu Shimoda (Senior Director, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)) Takashi Futami, Ph.D. (Partner, AN Venture Partners) *Japanese |
4:30-5:45 | Pitch contest by life science startups selected for the masterclass program CancerFree Biotech INOPASE Inc MiRNDa, Inc. Sothis Technologies Inc. Theta Therapeutics, Inc. *English |
5:45-6:00 | Judging and awards <Judges> BioLabs LINK-J Takashi Futami, Ph.D. (Partner, AN Venture Partners) and more *English |
6:00 | Closing *English |
6:00-7:30 | Networking reception |
Language Lab tour: Japanese / Pitch event: Japanese and English *Simultaneous interpretation is available
Speakers
Mr. Hirokazu Shimoda Senior Director, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) | |
![]() | Takashi Futami, Ph.D., MBA Partner, AN Venture Partners 15y experiences in R&D/CVC/Open Innovation/corporate planning in Pharmaceutical company and VC firms, including company creations. Takashi is also a specially appointed professor at Tohoku University, visiting professor at Nagoya University, visiting professor at Okayama University, fellow at Kyoto University, fellow at RIKEN, member of the Cabinet Office Global Startup Campus Initiative Expert Council, and expert committee member of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), and is contributing to the revitalization of Japan's ecosystem. (Doctor of Medical Science, MBA) |
![]() | Dr. Laura Stevens Sr. Project Manager Business Development, BioLabs Laura Stevens, PhD, is a Senior Project Manager in the Business Development group at BioLabs. Biolabs is a global operator of laboratory co-working facilities for life science start-ups. Dr. Stevens manages BioLabs’ portfolio of business expansion projects, with a focus on new markets in North America and Asia. Dr. Stevens is also responsible for the development and deployment of enterprise-level company management processes to enable strategic growth, business case evaluation and feasibility, and efficient project execution. A scientist by training, Dr. Stevens has a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where her work focused on tissue regeneration and wound healing. Following graduate school, Dr. Stevens moved to Boston, MA, where she worked as a senior research scientist at multiple start-up pharmaceutical companies, developing small molecules targeting autoimmunity and inflammation indications. Transitioning to the business side of biotech, Dr. Stevens managed multi-national, high-throughput screening projects, as well as daily lab and business operations, for a an early-stage startup company developing inflammatory cell death therapeutics. As a former resident of BioLabs’ sister company, LabCentral, Dr. Stevens has first-hand experience as a user working within the BioLabs/LabCentral business model. Dr. Stevens is based at BioLabs’ headquarters office in Cambridge, MA. |
![]() | Ikuo Hayashi, Ph.D. General Manager, LINK-J After working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Tokyo, he worked as a researcher at pharmaceutical companies both domestically and internationally. In May 2020, he joined the Bayer's Open Innovation Center Japan, where he was involved in managing startup support programs and shared labs. Since May 2023, he has been in his current position, contributing to the cultivation of the life sciences innovation ecosystem. He is a licensed pharmacist and holds an MBA from the University of California, San Diego. |
![]() | Hiroko Yasuga, Ph.D. Producer, LINK-J Worked as a research assistant in a pharmaceutical company before going to the UK, where studied immunology at Imperial College London (ICL). After studying at ICL, undertook doctoral research on autoimmune diseases at Nanyang Technological University/Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore. Later, returned to Japan and worked in medical affairs for major pharmaceutical companies, where involved in pre-launch activities for new drugs in the immunology field and post-launch activities for drugs in the neurological disease field. Since July 2024, started the current position and contributing in fostering the life science innovation ecosystem, promoting overseas collaboration and the accelerator programme UNIKORN at the Life Science Innovation Network Japan (LINK-J). Doctor of Science. |
Startups
Company Name | Overview |
CancerFree Biotech | [Company Overview] [Expectations and Aspirations for this program] |
INOPASE Inc | [Company Overview] [Expectations and Aspirations for this program] |
MiRNDa, Inc. | [Company Overview] [Expectations and Aspirations for this program] |
Sothis Technologies Inc. | [Company Overview] [Expectations and Aspirations for this program] |
Theta Therapeutics, Inc. | [Company Overview] [Expectations and Aspirations for this program] |
*Alphabetical order
Target
In-person: LINK-J members, supporters, LINK-BioBAY TOKYO partners, affiliated organizations (organizers/co-organizers), or guests who have received an invitation.
Online: Open to everyone.
Participation Fee
Free
Capacity
60 people
Organizer
Organizer: LINK-J / Co-Organizer: Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd, BioLabs
Contact
LINK-J secretariat contact@link-j.org