RESI Asia Japan Opens New Gateway to Global Life Science Partnerships 

By Momo Yamamoto, Senior Investor Research Analyst, LSN

Life Science Nation is pleased to announce the launch of RESI Asia Japan, a new conference created in collaboration with the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC), Japan’s largest biomedical cluster.

Taking place on April 13, 2027, at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo, RESI Asia Japan will bring together early-stage life science companies, investors, strategic partners, and regional stakeholders for a day of in-person programming, followed by virtual partnering opportunities.

The event expands Life Science Nation’s global platform for connecting innovative companies with the capital and strategic relationships needed to advance their technologies. For companies seeking to enter Japan, build international partnerships, or connect with new sources of capital, RESI Asia Japan provides a direct pathway into one of the world’s most important life science markets.

Why Japan Matters for Life Science Companies

Japan is home to major global pharmaceutical companies, including Takeda, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Chugai, and Ono. These organizations are active participants in licensing, acquisition, and external innovation partnerships, creating meaningful opportunities for early-stage companies with differentiated technologies and strong development plans.

A Japan rights deal can provide early non-dilutive capital, strategic validation, and a foundation for broader international growth. Japan also offers deep clinical trial and CRO capacity, as well as a regulatory environment with meaningful opportunities for regenerative medicine and cell and gene therapy development.

Yet the market can be difficult to access from outside the region. Identifying the right partners, arranging initial meetings, understanding the regulatory landscape, and navigating local business relationships all require a focused approach. RESI Asia Japan is designed to help bridge that gap.

A Partnership Built for Global Connection

RESI Asia Japan is the culmination of a three-conference collaboration between Life Science Nation and KBIC. KBIC served as a Title Sponsor at RESI Boston in September 2026 and will continue its partnership at RESI JPM in January 2027, leading into the inaugural Tokyo event in April.

For companies participating across the series, the partnership creates three opportunities to engage with the LSN network over seven months, while building visibility with investors, strategic partners, and life science stakeholders across the United States and Japan.

Beyond the conference itself, Life Science Nation and KBIC are working to strengthen the commercialization pathway for Japanese life science companies through entrepreneur education, company preparation, capital formation, and international business development.

Registration Is Open

RESI Asia Japan offers a 5-Day Hybrid format, including the in-person conference in Tokyo and virtual programming, as well as a 4-Day Virtual Partnering format.

Japan-base Registration (JPY)
Non-Japan-base Registration (USD)

Explore the RESI 2027 Series

RESI Asia Japan is part of Life Science Nation’s 2027 global conference series, creating multiple opportunities throughout the year to connect with investors, strategic partners, and life science innovators.

  • RESI JPM: January 11 to 12 in San Francisco, with virtual partnering on January 13, 18, and 19
  • RESI Asia Japan: April in Tokyo
  • RESI Philadelphia: June
  • RESI Boston: September

Learn more about the full RESI 2027 series at RESIConference.com.

Fundraising Requires More Than a Plan. It Requires Execution. 

By Max Braht, VP of Business Development, LSN

Max-Braht-Headshot

For early-stage life science companies, fundraising and partnering are not one-time activities. They require an ongoing, focused effort to identify the right market, communicate a clear opportunity, build relationships, and follow through consistently.

Many companies have the science, the data, and the ambition to move forward, but do not have a dedicated business development resource to manage that work throughout the year. Leadership teams are often balancing scientific progress, regulatory planning, operations, and fundraising at the same time.

Life Science Nation’s BD Assist program was developed to provide hands-on support for companies that need help executing their fundraising and partnering campaigns.

BD Assist is the execution layer of Life Science Nation’s commercialization system. It builds on the work of understanding a company’s readiness, identifying the right investor and licensing-partner market, and creating a Global Target List that can support a focused campaign.

The result is not simply a list of contacts. It is a structured process for moving from market intelligence to outreach, follow-up, and meeting generation.

From target market to active campaign

Every BD Assist engagement begins with an understanding of the company’s goals, financing needs, technology, milestones, and partnering objectives. Life Science Nation then works with the company to refine its narrative and marketing materials so the opportunity can be communicated clearly to the market.

Using Life Science Nation’s investor and licensing-partner intelligence, the BD Assist team helps construct and prioritize a Global Target List of relevant investors and strategic partners. The target list is informed by company-specific attributes as well as investor behavior, helping companies focus their efforts on the market most relevant to their opportunity.

From there, BD Assist supports campaign strategy, personalized outreach, follow-up, and meeting generation. Outreach activity is tracked through the client’s CRM platform, allowing the company to maintain visibility into campaign progress and investor engagement.

This ongoing execution is a key part of the program. A target list has value only when it becomes a disciplined campaign that continues to build relationships and create opportunities over time.

Extending a company’s business development capacity

BD Assist is designed to become an extension of a company’s business development capability.

Rather than providing recommendations for a company to carry out on its own, Life Science Nation helps manage the campaign workflow. This allows company leadership to stay focused on advancing the science, reaching development milestones, and preparing for productive investor and partner conversations.

The program also includes regular strategy discussions and campaign refinement as the company receives feedback from the market. As priorities evolve, BD Assist can help ensure that outreach remains aligned with the company’s current fundraising or partnering objectives.

For companies participating in RESI, BD Assist can also support their partnering activity and help them make the most of the investor and licensing-partner marketplace.

Part of a broader commercialization process

BD Assist is one part of a connected Life Science Nation commercialization system.

The Assessment Engine helps companies understand their evidence, risks, milestones, capital readiness, and investability. LSN Labs helps companies address gaps and prepare for the market. The Investor and Licensing Partner Database provides market intelligence. The Global Target List helps companies identify and prioritize their target market. BD Assist helps execute the campaign. RESI creates opportunities to meet the global investor and licensing-partner community.

For companies seeking investment, licensing opportunities, or strategic collaborations, this creates a more connected path from preparation to market engagement.

Fundraising is not only about finding names. It is about executing a consistent process that helps the right companies connect with the right market at the right time.

To learn more about BD Assist and discuss whether it is a fit for your company, complete the LSN Labs Company Assessment Report.

Apply for LSN Labs Company Assessment Report

RESI Boston 2026 Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Winners Announced 

By Claire Jeong, Chief Conference Officer, Vice President of Investor Research, Asia BD, LSN

Life Science Nation is pleased to announce the winners of the RESI Boston 2026 Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, held during Biotech Week Boston.

Over the two days o RESI, more than 70 early stage life science companies presented their innovations to an audience of active investors, strategic partners, and industry leaders. Following the final round of pitches, the top three companies were recognized during lunch on day two:

1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
Synaptic Bio Orthonika Ironsides Medical
Synaptic Bio Orthonika Ironsides Medical

Congratulations to Synaptic Bio, Orthonika, Ironsides Medical, and every company that took the stage. The caliber of innovation, preparation, and investor engagement throughout the Challenge reflected the exciting work advancing across the global life science ecosystem.

Judges’ Picks Award Winners

In addition to the overall winners, Life Science Nation is proud to recognize the companies that received the highest evaluation scores from the investor judges in each Innovator’s Pitch Challenge session:

These companies stood out to the judging panels for the quality of their presentations and the potential of their technologies to address important unmet needs.

Apply to Pitch at RESI JPM 2027

Applications are now open for the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI JPM 2027, taking place in San Francisco on January 11 to 12, with virtual partnering January 13 and 18 to 19.

The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge gives early-stage companies the opportunity to present live to active life science investors, receive structured feedback, and build meaningful connections through RESI partnering.

Apply to the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge and secure your opportunity to pitch at RESI JPM.

Apply to Pitch at RESI JPM 2027

Secure Your Dedicated Session and Meeting Space at RESI JPM 2027 

By Max Braht, VP of Business Development, LSN

Max-Braht-Headshot

Every January, J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week transforms San Francisco into the global epicenter of life sciences, bringing together top-tier investors, corporate pharma scouts, and biotech innovators. For organizations seeking a visible, accessible base during the busiest week of the year, RESI JPM 2027 offers prime physical space inside the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

Life Science Nation (LSN) is opening dedicated session and meeting spaces for booking across Monday, January 11 and Tuesday, January 12, 2027. Spaces can be reserved with flexible scheduling options: available by the hour, half-day, or full-day to accommodate presentations, private investor pitches, workshops, or ecosystem receptions. Additionally, hosting organizations receive official RESI JPM Sponsor status, featuring prominent brand exposure across RESI marketing and promotional channels.

Available Spaces and Layouts: Yerba Buena Ballroom (Lower B2 Level)

Located within LSN’s 17,000+ sq. ft. conference footprint across Salons 9–15:

Private Breakout Salons (Salons 10–15):

  • Size and Capacity: ~800 sq. ft. per room, seating up to 70 attendees.
  • Configuration: Fully enclosed private salons ideal for proprietary pitch sessions, closed-door investor roadshows, regional delegation showcases, or a private executive lounge.

Open Session Stage (Salon 9):

  • Size and Capacity: Open ballroom setting accommodating ~60 attendees.
  • Configuration: Positioned directly alongside the high-traffic partnering floor, maximizing foot traffic and casual walk-ins for open panel discussions and cohort spotlights.

Flexible Booking Windows (January 11–12, 2027)

Spaces are available throughout both in-person conference days:

  • Hourly Rentals: For focused company presentations, quick investor roundtables, or press briefings.
  • Half-Day Blocks (Morning / Afternoon): For structured cohort pitch sessions, seminars, or partner workshops.
  • Full-Day / Multi-Day Buyouts: To establish a dedicated branded headquarters and continuous meeting base right inside JPM week.

Immediate Next Steps

Contact LSN: Reach out directly to salescore@lifesciencenation.com to review specific floor plans, pricing tiers, and associated sponsor marketing packages.

Life Science Nation Heads to BioJapan 2026 with Two Seminars on Global Fundraising and International Expansion

By Momo Yamamoto, Senior Investor Research Analyst, LSN

Life Science Nation (LSN) is heading back to Yokohama this October for BioJapan 2026, taking place on October 7-9, 2026 at PACIFICO Yokohama. As one of Asia’s leading partnering events for the life sciences industry, BioJapan provides an important platform for startups, investors, pharmaceutical companies, strategic partners, and ecosystem stakeholders from around the world to connect and explore new opportunities. This year, LSN is pleased to participate in the conference and in two seminars focused on helping life science companies better understand and access international funding and partnership opportunities.

LSN Founder & CEO, Dennis Ford, will join KBIC (Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster) and MEDISO (Medical Innovation Support Office) on October 8, 2026 from 1 PM – 2PM JST at the Japan Healthcare Venture Summit (JHVS), held alongside BioJapan. The session titled “Key Points for Early-Phase Global Fundraising” will introduce government initiatives and programs designed to help early-stage ventures expand internationally and connect with overseas investors. We will join representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), JIC Venture Growth Investments, VC Cell Therapy, United Immunity, CellFold, KBIC, and Mitsubishi Research Institute for a discussion on global fundraising and international growth.

On October 9, 2026 from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM JST, LSN will be hosting a seminar with KBIC titled: “Inside Global Fundraising: LSN Framework for Startup Readiness and Global Capital Raising Success”. KBIC is Japan’s largest biocluster, hosting more than 340 organizations to accelerate innovation in the region. For life science companies seeking international expansion, global fundraising has become an important strategy for accelerating R&D and commercialization. During this seminar, LSN will introduce latest trends in global fundraising and practical strategies for investor engagement, drawing on LSN’s experience working with thousands of life science companies and investors worldwide. This discussion will feature: Haruhiko Koike (KBIC), Keiko Kobayashi (KBIC), Dennis Ford (LSN), and Claire Jeong (LSN).

This seminar will also highlight the upcoming RESI Asia, taking place in Tokyo at the APA InterContinental on April 13, 2027. As part of LSN’s globally recognized RESI Conference Series, RESI Asia will provide Japanese and Asian startups with opportunities to connect directly with international investors and explore new pathways for global growth.

LSN’s participation at BioJapan reflects its continued commitment to supporting the Japanese life science ecosystem as they seek to expand beyond the domestic market. We look forward to returning to the conference next week!

RESI Boston 2026: Your Complete Conference Guide 

By Dennis Ford, Founder & CEO, Life Science Nation (LSN)

DF-News-09142022

Life Science Nation (LSN) is pleased to release the RESI Boston 2026 Program Guide for the upcoming hybrid conference, taking place September 22–23 in person at the Westin Copley Place in Boston, followed by virtual partnering on September 25 and September 28–29.

Held during Biotech Week Boston, RESI brings together early-stage life science companies, active investors, strategic partners, and industry leaders for targeted fundraising and business development conversations. The event features the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, investor panels, workshops, company showcases, and RESI Partnering, the conference’s purpose-built platform for scheduling one-on-one meetings.

The Program Guide offers a comprehensive look at the RESI Boston agenda, including sessions focused on the Boston biotech ecosystem, therapeutic innovation, pharma partnering, strategic capital, health systems, chronic disease care, family office investing, and impact investing. Attendees can also explore the participating investor, sponsor, exhibitor, and company lineup, along with networking opportunities throughout the event.

With partnering underway and meeting calendars continuing to fill in the final weeks before the conference, RESI Boston offers innovators a valuable opportunity to connect directly with investors and strategic stakeholders shaping the future of healthcare.

View the program guide and register for RESI Boston today.

Register for RESI Boston

Meet the Investor Judges at RESI Boston 2026 

By Claire Jeong, Chief Conference Officer, Vice President of Investor Research, Asia BD, LSN

RESI Boston brings together early-stage life science innovators and active investors during Biotech Week Boston. Life Science Nation is pleased to announce the investor judges participating in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC).

This year’s IPC will feature more than 70 companies presenting across 20 pitch sessions over two days, offering startups a valuable opportunity to gain visibility, present directly to investors, and receive real-time feedback from experienced decision-makers.

Each pitch session will be evaluated by a panel of investor and strategic partner judges with expertise spanning therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and life science tools. Companies will deliver a six-minute presentation followed by seven minutes of live investor Q&A, giving judges the opportunity to assess scientific differentiation, commercial potential, and investment readiness.

All IPC companies will also have a dedicated space in the RESI Exhibition Hall, creating additional opportunities for follow-up conversations and deeper engagement with investors and conference attendees.

RESI Boston attendees will be invited to vote with their RESI Cash for their favorite presenting companies. The Top 3 companies will be announced, with winners receiving prizes and additional exposure through the LSN Newsletter.

See the investors serving as judges for this year’s RESI Boston Innovator’s Pitch Challenge:

Featured RESI Boston IPC Judge
René Bastón
René Bastón
Covenant Venture Capital
Caleb Bell
Caleb Bell
Beyond Next Ventures
Randy Berholtz
Randy Berholtz
Mesa Verde Venture Partners
Shailesh Chavan
Shailesh Chavan
Ingenious Global Venture Partners
Bruce Cohen
Bruce Cohen
Xeraya Capital
Yvette Ferreira
Yvette Ferreira
Xcellerant Ventures
Navin Govind
Navin Govind
Evidence Ventures
Ole Henrik Bang Andreasen
Ole Henrik Bang Andreasen
Avant Bio
Christopher Hupp
Christopher Hupp
Ipsen S.A.
Deepak Jha
Deepak Jha
Autobahn Labs
James Lee
James Lee
Unistone Ventures
Claire Leurent
Claire Leurent
AbbVie Ventures
Heather Loring
Heather Loring
AstraZeneca
James Massaquoi
James Massaquoi
Glasswing Ventures
Mahesh Narayanan
Mahesh Narayanan
Neuvation Ventures
John Pennett
John Pennett
Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
Garrett Peterson
Garrett Peterson
Yahara Ventures
Andrew Rae
Andrew Rae
Woodgreen Ventures
Raza Shaikh
Raza Shaikh
Launchpad Venture Group
Justin Siemann
Justin Siemann
Sontag Foundation
Sarah Tao
Sarah Tao
CSL Behring
Martin Taylor
Martin Taylor
F-Prime Capital
Lily Ting
Lily Ting
Lundbeck
Sally Wang Liang
Sally Wang Liang
Xpanse Venture

Register for RESI Boston 2026