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LINK-J, BioLabs and Mitsui Fudosan to Launch Collaboration to Strengthen the Startup Ecosystem in the Life Sciences Field "LINK-BioBAY TOKYO"

Tokyo, Japan, 27 November, 2024 - Life Science Innovation Network Japan, Link-J, Tokyo, BioLabs, Cambridge, MA and Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., Tokyo announce that they have been selected for the "TIB CATAPULT (Cluster Creation Project to Challenge Global Innovation)" program and have launched the startup incubation cluster, "LINK-BioBAY TOKYO". This collaboration, with expertise in Japan and the US, will support the growth of Japanese life science startups globally.

 In September 2024, the Parties were selected for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Cluster Creation Project to Challenge Global Innovation” (commonly known as “TIB CATAPULT"). To support the TIB Catapult program and other similar initiatives, the three parties will jointly operate the initiatives of the life science startup incubation cluster "LINK-BioBAY TOKYO" in Shinkiba and Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Activities will include education programs designed specifically for pre-formation and early-stage science-based companies. The programming will include:

BioLabs Education Program
Leveraging BioLabs' network: provide education programs for early-stage science-based companies to expand their operations in the US.

"Investor Day" and matching events
Provide opportunities for face-to-face meetings and connecting startups with domestic and international life science ecosystem players from the BioLabs and LINK-J networks through events like "Investor Day" supporting participation and exhibits in "BIO Japan" and "BIO International".

Future planning for the launch of additional laboratory and office space
To provide opportunities to launch new shared laboratory and office space, laboratory equipment and facilities necessary to support R&D activities, and promote to life science startup development.

The activity base for the “LINK-BioBAY TOKYO will initially be at the GLOBAL LIFESCIENCE HUB” in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. This will be BioLabs' second activity base in Japan, following "iCONM in collaboration with BioLabs" in Tonomachi, Kawasaki.

The "GLOBAL LIFESCIENCE HUB" is a base for accumulating players in the life science field not only in Japan, but also globally, located in the Mitsui Tower (Chuo, Tokyo), Japan. Currently 27 life science academia and VCs reside in the location. https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/news/2020/1214/

GLH-2.jpgGLH-1.jpg

GLOBAL LIFESCIENCE HUB

BioLabs and LINK-J are also establishing a Link-J base at "Tufts Launchpad | BioLabs, the downtown Boston, MA, shared lab space in collaboration with Tufts University. At this new node for entrepreneurs in Japan and the United States LINK-J collaborators will be welcome to “touch-down” at the “Tufts Launchpad | BioLabs”, meet Boston entrepreneurs and strengthen collaboration between players in the life sciences innovation ecosystems of Japan and the US. This will be LINK-J’s third activity base in the US, following the Yokohama/LINK-J Life Sciences Lounge in New York City, NY, and the LINK-J Meeting Room in Franklin Antonio Hall in the UCSD campus in San Diego, CA.
https://www.biolabs.io/tufts-boston

■ About the Cluster Creation Project (commonly known as "TIB CATAPULT") that takes on the challenge of global innovation

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Cluster Creation Project to Challenge Global Innovation (commonly known as "TIB CATAPULT") is a support project that aims to create startups that grow globally, centered around the Tokyo Innovation Base, a platform established by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for startups and their supporters. Learn more at https://tibcatapult.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/

Life Science Innovation Network Japan (LINK-J)

LINK-J, a Tokyo-based association established by Mitsui Fudosan, industry and academic volunteers to promote open innovation in the life science field, build an innovative ecosystem, and support the creation of new industries through industry-government-academia collaboration. Based in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi area, which serves as a hub for pharmaceutical-related enterprises, LINK-J aims to facilitate creation of new industries by promoting open innovation in the life sciences realm through industry-government-academia cooperation. LINK-J promotes interdisciplinary exchanges of people and technologies in the complex field of life sciences, which spans various scientific disciplines including medical science as well as physics and engineering, along with new technologies such as information and communications technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI).Learn more at https://www.link-j.org/en/

BioLabs Global, Inc.について

BioLabs, is an internationally known innovation laboratory platform offering services, education and lab infrastructure to support and accelerate the journey for early-stage science-based startups in the US, Europe and now with a growing presence in Asia, including a collaboration with iCONM in Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Japan. BioLabs platform provides fertile, supportive ecosystems that allow young companies to shift their focus from startup operations to experimentation and innovation, so they can reach their scientific potential quickly and achieve business success. Companies can start with a single lab bench and scale up as they grow. The expanding BioLabs network currently operates labs in the US: California; Connecticut; Massachusetts; New Jersey; North Carolina; New York City; Pennsylvania; Texas; Vermont; in Europe, Paris and Saclay, France, Heidelberg and Berlin, Germany, and in collaboration with iCONM in Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Japan. Learn more at https://www.biolabs.io/

■About Mitsui Fudosan’s MITSUI LINK-Lab Open Innovation Support Program

Mitsui Fudosan, an industrial developer that reaches beyond the traditional real estate developer role, is responsible for "developing places" such as the rental lab and office and provides funding and builds community through "MITSUI Link-Lab", in cooperation with LINK-J. MITSUI LINK-Lab Open Innovation Support Program is a startup-supporting program provided by Mitsui Fudosan that includes (1) research and business support and (2) communication and network support. These supports will be offered in combination with the efforts of LINK-BioBAY TOKYO. Learn more about at https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/news/2024/0530/

■Sustainability in the Mitsui Fudosan Group

Based on the meaning of its “& mark,” “to generate new value with society through cooperation, coexistence and co-creation, we forge ahead, innovating,” the Mitsui Fudosan Group views the “creation of social value” and the “creation of economic value” as two wheels of a cart. Accordingly, we believe that the creation of social value leads to the creation of economic value, and that this economic value then creates even greater social value.

Moreover, we identified six Group Materiality priority issues when formulating our new management philosophy in April 2024. These Group Materiality priority issues are (1) Contribute to industrial competitiveness, (2) Coexist with the environment, (3) Health and Vitality, (4) Safety and security, (5) Diversity and inclusion, and (6) Compliance and governance. The Mitsui Fudosan Group will work to address each of the materialities through its core business activities and contribute to the promotion of sustainability.

(References)
・ Group Management Philosophy and Long-Term Vision
https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/innovation2030/
・ Group Materiality
https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/esg_csr/approach/materiality/

* The initiatives outlined in this release are designed to help address the following 3 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

LINK-J, BioLabs and Mitsui Fudosan to Launch Collaboration to Strengthen the Startup Ecosystem in the Life Sciences Field "LINK-BioBAY TOKYO"
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