Cooperating with 12 organizations (including 7 overseas organizations) and expanding LINK-J's role as a hub for the life sciences field
Life Science Innovation Network Japan (head office: Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; chairman of the board: Hideyuki Okano; hereinafter "LINK-J") concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation aimed at creating innovations in the field of life sciences with Oxford University Innovation (location: Oxford, the United Kingdom; Head of Licensing & Ventures - Life Sciences: Paul Ashley). The MOU became effective on July 1. LINK-J is a general incorporated association based in Nihonbashi in Tokyo that supports the commercialization of seeds and ideas in the field of life sciences by promoting human and technology exchange.
Akihiko Soyama, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of LINK-J (left), and Dr Paul Ashley, Head of Licensing & Ventures (Life Sciences), OUI (right)
Oxford University is a globally leading research University, producing the largest volume of highly rated research, with the highest research investment, of all UK universities. Oxford University Innovation (OUI) is the University's research commercialization arm, 100% owned by Oxford University. OUI licenses more intellectual property and creates more spinout companies than any other UK university.
This MOU was concluded with the objective of cooperation in the promotion of life sciences innovations from the Oxford ecosystem between the UK and Japan. It represents an agreement to explore mutual cooperation over the next five years with a view towards creating new commercial opportunities through open innovation, driving the transformation of research outcomes in the field of life sciences into actual businesses and industries.
So far, LINK-J has signed MOUs to create life science-related innovations with the following business alliance partners: the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and Biocom (a life science organization in San Diego, U.S.A.) in May 2016; Eurobiomed (a life science organization in Southern France) in June 2017; Kyoto Research Park Corp. (Japan's first privately operated research park) in July 2017; One Nucleus (a large life science organization in Europe) in December 2017; the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Kobe in February 2018; the Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University (Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Pref.) in April 2018; MedCity (a U.K. organization to promote the industrialization of life sciences research) in June 2018; the City of Kawasaki in August 2018; the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in June 2019; and Yokohama City in August 2019. This latest agreement makes OUI the 12th MOU partner of LINK-J.
Moving forward, LINK-J will serve as a more influential global hub in the life sciences field by cooperating more broadly with additional life science organizations, both in Japan and internationally.
Paul Ashley, Head of Licensing & Ventures (Life Sciences) for OUI, said, "We are delighted to deepen our relationship with LINK-J, to build further on our existing contacts in Japan through Medcity, Oxentia and KAHM Japan Ltd. OUI's mission is to maximise the global impact of Oxford's research and expertise, Japan is a leading market for life sciences innovation, and we welcome this opportunity to further develop our engagement with licensees, entrepreneurs and investors in the region."
Akihiko Soyama, President and CEO of LINK-J, said, "We are absolutely delighted to establish this partnership with OUI, an entity that has been involved in the commercialization of intellectual property at Oxford University in the UK which has made great strides in life sciences research, and which has been responsible for the launch of many venture companies. Through our future collaboration between LINK-J and OUI, we hope to support the creation of new value and further strengthen our relationship with our 12 partners in Japan and beyond to revitalize the entire life sciences industry."
Moving forward, LINK-J will continue to stimulate the creation of life science innovations, contribute to the advancement of life science industries and contribute in resolving life science-related issues for people around the world. Because of the tough situation, it is difficult to host onsite events or seminars so we are planning to co-host webinars within a few months.
About Oxford University Innovation
Oxford University Innovation (OUI) supports innovation activities across all University Divisions, managing technology transfer and consulting activities, creating a world-leading innovation ecosystem with Oxford University at its heart. OUI provides access to technology from Oxford researchers through intellectual property licensing, spinout company formation and creation of social enterprises, and to academic expertise through our Consulting Services team. The Investments and New Ventures team works closely with investors to secure seed and follow-on funding, with more than £400m invested in the growing portfolio in 2018/19.
OUI's Startup Incubator supports members and ex-members of the University who wish to start or grow entrepreneur-driven ventures that are not University spinouts, working collaboratively with the Oxford Foundry, Oxford Sciences Innovation and others.
Oxford University Innovation is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked 1st in the UK for university spinouts, having created over 200 new companies since 2000. In the 2018/19 financial year OUI completed more than 60 licenses and consulting agreements every month. For updates on innovations from Oxford, follow Oxford University Innovation onLinkedinandTwitteror subscribe at website.
About Life Science Innovation Network Japan, Inc. (LINK-J)
LINK-J is a general incorporated association established by Mitsui Fudosan and volunteers from academic circles. With its base in the Nihonbashi area, where a number of pharmaceutical companies are clustered, LINK-J aims to promote open innovation in the life sciences realm through industry- government-academia cooperation and to support the creation of new industries. Across the entire life sciences arena, i.e., the arena where all sciences combine -- ranging from medicine to science and further to engineering and new technologies, such as information and communication technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) -- it will accelerate interdisciplinary human and technological exchanges.
