Cooperating with 16 organizations (including 6 overseas organizations) and expanding LINK-J's role as a hub for life science field
Life Science Innovation Network Japan (head office: Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; chairman of the board: Hideyuki Okano; hereinafter "LINK-J") has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at creating innovations in the field of life science with Medicen Paris Region (location: Paris, France; hereinafter "MPR"). The MOU became effective on February 5, 2021. 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 science by promoting human and technology exchange.
Based in Paris, France, MPR is a business cluster focused on innovative health technologies. Consisting of over 430 companies, research centers, universities, hospitals, and local governments, it has formed a powerful global network that supports the growth and market entry for startups. Furthermore, it is one of Europe's largest life science business clusters that encourages the creation of innovative projects and supports participating companies in the procurement of public and private funding.
This MOU is concluded with the objective of promoting innovation in the life science brought by MPR's activities in Europe, and in particular for the purpose of building a cooperative relationship between France and Japan. It represents an agreement to explore mutual cooperation over the next five years with a view to creating new commercial opportunities through open innovation, driving the transformation of research outcomes in the field of life science into actual businesses and industries.
LINK-J has signed MOUs to create life science-related innovations with the following domestic and overseas organizations in academia and elsewhere. This latest agreement makes MPR the 16th cooperation partner of LINK-J. LINK-J will serve as a more influential global hub in the life science field by cooperating more broadly with additional life science organizations, both in Japan and internationally.
Akihiko Soyama, President and CEO of LINK-J has offered the following remarks on this partnership: "We are delighted to establish this MOU with MPR, which has a rich record of accomplishments as one of Europe's largest life science business clusters. Through our collaboration with MPR, we will further accelerate and support new value creation, deepen ties with our 16 domestic and overseas partner organizations, and contribute to the revitalization of the entire life science industry."
LINK-J will continue to stimulate the creation of life science innovations, contribute to the advancement of life science industries, and assist in the resolving of life science-related issues for people around the world.
About Medicen Paris Region（MPR）
MPR is a non-profit cluster of innovative health technology organization founded on January 3, 2005. Based in Paris, France, it consists of over 430 public and private sector organizations, including companies, research centers, universities, hospitals, and local governments. Its goal is the research and development of treatment methods in 5 key areas: biological diagnosis, diagnostic and interventional imaging, regenerative medicine and biomaterials, and digital health and translational medicine. It has an exceptional network in the field of health-tech innovation and has established itself as one of the largest life science business clusters in Europe.
- Formation of the largest network of medical institutions in Europe. MPR organizes and represents approximately 500 startups and small/ medium-sized enterprises in the fields of biotech, medical technology and digital health, 40 large corporations and 34 academic and medical research organizations.
- Since its foundation in 2005, public-private partnership formed by MPR enabled the launch of 80 innovative products in the fields of biotech, medical technology and digital health.
- Certification of 383 projects, acquiring nearly €21 billion in investments and €864 million in public funding.
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 science realm through industry- government-academia cooperation and to support the creation of new industries. Across the entire life science 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.
