Enhancing presence as a global hub in life science by forming a partnership with eight organizations in Japan and overseas
Life Science Innovation Network Japan, Inc. (Head office: Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Chairman of the Board: Hideyuki Okano; hereinafter "LINK-J"), a general incorporated association based in Nihonbashi that supports the commercialization of seeds and ideas in the field of life science by promoting human and technology exchange, is pleased to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MedCity (Headquartered in London, the United Kingdom; Chair: Eliot Forster). Established under the initiative of the Mayor of London, MedCity is an organization that facilitates and supports collaboration and commercialization of innovations in the field of life science. LINK-J signed the MOU with MedCity on June 5 at the venue of the 2018 BIO International Convention, which was held in Boston, for the purpose of creating innovations in life science.
Akihiko Soyama, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of LINK-J, and
Sarah Haywood, Chief Executive Officer of MedCity
MedCity was launched in 2014 by the Mayor of London, and in collaboration with the London academic health science centres . It supports the formation of partnerships across academia and industry in the field of life science by providing a network that is rich in specialized knowledge. LINK-J took the UK Life Sciences Symposium in Nihonbashi, which was hosted by MedCity and other organizations in October 2017, as an opportunity to begin collaborating with MedCity. LINK-J signed the MOU with MedCity to deepen the collaboration further, because initiatives like this event align with the philosophy of LINK-J, which believes it important to promote collaboration with external specialists proactively. Based on the MOU, LINK-J and MedCity have agreed to provide a boost to commercialization and industrialization in life science and will mutually cooperate in creating new industries through open innovation over the next five years. LINK-J aims to reinforce its global network further through close collaboration with the United Kingdom. This country promotes research in life science in a nationwide manner, an example of which is the world's first appointment of a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Life Sciences in 2014.
LINK-J signed MOUs on business collaboration with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and BIOCOM (life science group in San Diego, the United States) in May 2016, Eurobiomed (life science group in southern France) in June 2017, Kyoto Research Park Corp. (Japan's first research park operated by a private-sector company) in July 2017, One Nucleus (one of Europe's largest life science organizations) in December 2017, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation (currently known as the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe) in February 2018, and the Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University (Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture) in April 2018, for the purpose of creating innovation in the life science area. This partnership with MedCity will be the eighth such case. LINK-J will enhance its presence as a global hub in life science by expanding partnerships with life science organizations in Japan and overseas, including this latest collaboration.
Sarah Haywood, Chief Executive Officer of MedCity, commented on the partnership:
"We are pleased to have signed an MOU with LINK-J, aiding connections and support for UK life sciences companies and academics looking to work with the Japanese market, and vice versa.
"This MOU represents a strengthening of MedCity's links with Japan and aims to provide a boost to commercialisation by mutual cooperation.
"We look forward to working closely with LINK-J to encourage UK-Japan collaborations across our life sciences ecosystems."
Akihiko Soyama, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of LINK-J, added: "I am delighted that we have reached the partnership with MedCity, at which renowned universities of the United Kingdom, where research on life science is conducted actively, collaborate with each other. We will contribute to the creation of new value through interactions between LINK-J and MedCity and will continue to make a contribution to the growth of the life science industry as a whole by deepening partnerships with a total of eight life science organizations in Japan and overseas."
LINK-J aims to contribute to the development of the life science industry and help solve issues for the good health and longevity of people worldwide by encouraging the creation of life science innovation.
■ MedCity
MedCity exists to promote and grow life sciences investment, entrepreneurship and industry in the Greater South East of England.
MedCity acts as a front door for industry, researchers and investors looking for partners, infrastructure and expertise. From drug discovery to devices, diagnostics and digital health, It supports academia, life sciences and healthcare companies - large and small - to do business in the region. www.medcityhq.com
■Life Science Innovation Network Japan (LINK-J)
LINK-J is a general incorporated association established by Mitsui Fudosan and interested members in academia as its main driving force. LINK-J is based in the Nihonbashi district where a cluster of medical and pharmaceutical-related companies is situated, and its purpose is to promote open innovation in the life science field through industry-academia-government collaboration to support the creation of new industries. The life sciences constitute an interdisciplinary nexus linking all areas of scientific endeavor. They encompass medicine, the natural sciences, engineering; and such new technologies as ICT and AI. LINK-J has been established to promote national and international cross-disciplinary interaction of human resources and technologies.