By Momo Yamamoto, Senior Investor Research Analyst, LSN
Life Science Nation (LSN) was pleased to return to Yokohama for BioJapan 2026 held on October 7-9 at PACIFICO Yokohama. Known for one of Asia’s leading life sciences partnering conference hosted by the Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA), the event brought together startups, investors, pharmaceutical companies, and industry stakeholders from around the world to explore emerging innovations and opportunities for collaboration.
This year, for the first time, LSN participated in two seminars in collaboration with the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC), focusing on helping Japanese life science startups navigate the global investment landscape. Throughout the conference, LSN emphasized the importance of investor readiness and international engagement for emerging life science companies seeking to accelerate their development and commercialization efforts.
On October 8, LSN participated in the KBIC x MEDISO Collaboration Program “Key Points for Early-Phase Global Fundraising” which brought together representative from Japan’s public and private sectors, including government delegates, venture capitalists, biotech executives, and ecosystem leaders, to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with international fundraising for early-stage life science companies. A particularly meaningful aspect of the seminar was the opportunity to hear directly from startup CEOs who LSN has been working with on their international business development efforts. Drawing from their firsthand experiences, the discussion explored the realities of approaching global investors and navigating different investment expectations.
The following day on October 9, LSN joined KBIC for a second luncheon seminar titled “Inside Global Fundraising: LSN Framework for Startup Readiness and Global Capital Raising Success”. This session focused on broader global fundraising trends and the strategies life science startups can adopt to improve their readiness for international investment. Together, the two seminars highlighted the common message of how successful fundraising requires more than scientific excellence. It also demands a strong understanding of the perspective from global investors and the ability to build meaningful relationships across markets.
Japan’s Foundation for Global Growth within the Global Life Science Ecosystem
Japan has long been recognized as a global leader in scientific research and technological innovation. With its world-class academic institutions, established pharmaceutical industry, and growing biotechnology startups community, the country offers a strong foundation for life science innovation. The country’s scientific expertise combined with an increasingly entrepreneurial research environment, it continues to create opportunities for translating breakthrough discoveries into commercially viable solutions. Innovation hubs such as Kobe City demonstrate the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, government, and emerging companies. By fostering connections across these groups, organizations such as KBIC help strengthen the infrastructure needed to support growth of impactful life science businesses.
Japan’s strengths span multiple sectors including pharmaceutical R&D, regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapies, academic research, and the integration of healthcare with engineering and technology. However, as Japan’s biotechnology startup ecosystem continues to develop, access to international capital and strategic partnership remains an important consideration for companies seeking to expand beyond the domestic market. For early-stage companies, engaging with global investors can provide more than financial resources. International relationships can also create opportunities for clinical development, licensing, commercialization, and entry into new markets. By connecting Japan’s scientific strengths and global investment and partnering opportunities, LSN aims to help bridge the gap between promising research and international commercialization.
Continuing the Momentum to RESI Asia 2027 in Tokyo
Building on the discussions and relationships established at BioJapan, LSN is excited to continue supporting the Japanese life science ecosystem through RESI Asia 2027, taking place on April 13, 2027 at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo Hotel, with KBIC as our co-developer. As part of LSN’s globally recognized RESI Conference Series, RESI Asia is designed to connect early-stage life science and healthcare startups with investors, pharmaceutical companies, and strategic partners seeking innovative technologies and new business development opportunities. The conference will also offer virtual partnering on April 15-16 and 19-20, extending the opportunity for international engagement beyond the in-person event.
The conference will bring together not just participants from Japan and across Asia, but also around the world, creating a dedicated platform for cross-border investment and strategic collaboration. The conference will feature startups in Pre-Seed through Series B stages across therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health, offering international investors and pharmaceutical companies direct access to promising companies from Japan, the broader Asian life science ecosystem, and around the world.
From BioJapan 2026 to RESI Asia 2027, LSN remains committed to supporting Japan’s life science innovators as they connect with the global investment community. We look forward to continuing our collaborations with KBIC and the broader Japanese life science ecosystem and welcoming startups, investors, and strategic partners to Tokyo next April!
RESI Asia Japan Registration:
| Japan-base Registration (JPY) |
| Non-Japan-base Registration (USD) |
