Tag Archives: Healthcare

KBIC Japan Life Science Showcase Strengthens Cross-Border Partnerships at RESI San Diego

7 Jul

By Momo Yamamoto, Senior Investor Research Analyst, LSN

The KBIC Japan Life Science Showcase brought together Japanese innovators, investors, corporate leaders, and government representatives during RESI San Diego to highlight emerging technologies and strengthen collaboration between Japan and the global life science community. As Japan’s largest biomedical cluster and title sponsor of the RESI Conference, the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC) brings together approximately 350 companies, medical institutions, and research organizations advancing healthcare innovation. The showcase featured eight Japanese startups selected for their readiness to engage with international investors and licensing partners, providing a platform to introduce their technologies to a global audience.

Each startup delivered a six-minute company presentation followed by five minutes of live Q&A in front of investor judges, giving attendees the opportunity to explore each company’s science, commercialization strategy, and market potential through direct discussions with the founders. The showcase featured an accomplished panel of judges representing Alumni Ventures, Aquillius Ventures, Bristol Myers Squibb, JLABS (Johnson & Johnson), and Mass Medical Angels. Drawing expertise across venture capital, corporate innovation, and early-stage investing, the judges engaged founders with thoughtful questions and constructive feedback, creating meaningful dialogue throughout the session.

Complementing the startup presentations, representatives from JIC Venture Growth Investments and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) shared insights into Japan’s evolving venture capital landscape, government initiatives supporting innovation, and the future outlook for the country’s startup ecosystem. Their presentations provided valuable context for international investors interested in partnering with Japanese life science companies.

More than a series of company presentations, the KBIC Japan Life Science Showcase demonstrated the growing momentum behind cross-border collaboration in life sciences. By connecting Japan’s innovative startup ecosystem with U.S. and international investors, strategic partners, and industry leaders, the session reinforced a shared commitment to accelerating healthcare innovation through global partnerships. Events like these continue to strengthen the bridge between regional ecosystems, creating new opportunities for investment, licensing, and commercialization that benefit both the Japanese and international life science communities.

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RESI San Diego Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Winners Showcase the Future of Life Science Innovation

30 Jun

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

The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) returned to RESI San Diego 2026, bringing together some of the most promising early-stage life science companies for one of the conference’s signature events. Designed to connect early-stage innovators with active investors and strategic partners, the IPC provides a platform for companies to showcase breakthrough technologies while gaining valuable exposure and feedback.

Each finalist delivered a six-minute presentation followed by a live Q&A with an investor judging panel. Throughout the conference, participants also met with investors during one-on-one partnering meetings and networking sessions, extending conversations well beyond the pitch stage.

The IPC winners are determined through a combination of investor judge evaluations and RESI Cash voting. Judges evaluate each company based on the strength of its technology, investment opportunity, presentation, and responses during Q&A, while attendees allocate RESI Cash to the companies they believe demonstrate the greatest investment potential. Together, these scores recognize companies that impressed both the judging panel and the broader RESI community.

Congratulations to the overall winners of the RESI San Diego 2026 Innovator’s Pitch Challenge: 

1st Place: Nanotrace

Nanotrace combined the best attributes of chemotherapy, nanoparticle delivery mechanisms, and the latest advancements in gene therapeutics to build a revolutionary oncology platform. Based on our team’s decades of research in these fields, and the maturation of nanomedicine, our product is a novel targeting platform which recognizes cancer cells by its very blueprint – gene expression. In part by using AI, that highly specific recognition is programmed to release a chemotherapeutic payload inside a cancer cell while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Our platform will transform how we treat not only cancer but a whole spectrum of genetic disorders. Nanotrace is founded by Dr. Will Briley, PhD Molecular Biology from Northwestern; Dr. Paul Weiss, renowned nanoscientist, distinguished UCLA professor, and a UC Presidential Chair; David Spector, an experienced founder and formerly of Sequoia Capital, Google, and MIT; and, Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Krishna Komanduri, Department Chief & Head of Hematology & Oncology, UCSF.

2nd Place: Pinion Immunotherapeutics

Pinion Immunotherapeutics is a Maryland-based biotechnology company focused on developing novel immunotherapies for chronic viral infections and virus-driven cancers. Its proprietary AI-driven mRNA platform generates immunotherapies targeting HPV-related precancer, AML, EBV, and HSV, designed to activate CD8⁺ T cells while inducing virus-neutralizing antibodies to achieve durable immune control. Pinion operates as a lean, high-impact virtual company, deploying capital directly to science and clinical trials, not overhead. Our leadership team brings deep expertise across mRNA platform development, FDA regulatory strategy, clinical trial design, and immunology. Our programs target indications with large addressable populations, no curative standard of care, and high economic burden, where mRNA immunotherapy offers a genuine path to functional cure.

3rd Place: FELIQS

Feliqs is a clinical-stage ophthalmology company developing innovative therapies for retinal and corneal diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company is advancing a diversified pipeline targeting conditions including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), pterygium, and dry age-related macular degeneration (Dry AMD), addressing diseases that currently have limited or no effective treatment options. Leveraging novel mechanisms targeting oxidative stress, fibrosis, and angiogenesis, FELIQS is developing patient-friendly therapies designed to reduce dependence on invasive procedures while improving long-term visual outcomes. Through its innovative ophthalmology pipeline, FELIQS aims to preserve vision, prevent blindness, and improve quality of life for patients worldwide.

In addition to the overall winners, several companies earned the highest combined judge and RESI Cash scores within their individual pitch sessions. Congratulations to these outstanding innovators for delivering exceptional presentations and capturing investor interest throughout the competition.

3Helix Ad-Astra Allander-Biotechnologies
BOOST-Pharma Endeavor FELIQS
HEPHAISTOS Nanotrace Numiera
Pinion Rejuvenation Repair
Sebastian Wavegate

Every company that participated in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge demonstrated the innovation, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit that continue to define the RESI community. Congratulations to all of this year’s participants.

Will Your Company Be Next?

Applications are now open for the RESI Boston Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, taking place during the expanded two-day, in-person RESI Boston conference this September during Biotech Week Boston.

The IPC is more than a pitch competition. It is an opportunity to present your company to active investors, receive expert feedback, gain additional visibility through poster presentations and partnering meetings, and compete for recognition among the global life science investment community.

Whether you’re preparing for your next financing round or looking to build strategic partnerships, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge can help elevate your fundraising efforts.

Applications are now open. Apply today and take the stage at RESI Boston.

Apply to Pitch at RESI Boston

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RESI San Diego 2026 Program Guide Released 

16 Jun

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

DF-News-09142022

Life Science Nation (LSN) is pleased to release the RESI San Diego 2026 Program Guide for its upcoming hybrid conference, taking place June 22 in person at the JULEP Venue in San Diego, followed by four days of virtual partnering on June 23–24 and June 29–30. 

RESI San Diego brings together early-stage life science companies, active investors, strategic partners, and industry leaders during one of the most important weeks in biotechnology. The conference features the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, investor panels, educational workshops, company showcases, and a dynamic partnering platform designed to facilitate meaningful fundraising and business development conversations. 

The Program Guide provides a comprehensive look at this year’s agenda, including sessions covering therapeutics, medtech, diagnostics, digital health, corporate venture capital, artificial intelligence in healthcare, strategic partnerships, and emerging investment trends. Attendees can also explore participating investors, sponsors, exhibitors, and networking opportunities available throughout the five-day partnering event. 

With partnering already underway and meeting calendars continuing to fill, RESI San Diego offers a unique opportunity for innovators to connect directly with the investors and strategic stakeholders shaping the future of healthcare. 

View the RESI San Diego 2026 Program Guide and secure your place today at RESI San Diego.

Register for RESI San Diego

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Don’t Miss Out: Discover Cutting-Edge Japanese Innovations at RESI San Diego 2026

9 Jun

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

With RESI San Diego 2026 just two weeks away, taking place on Monday, June 22, at JULEP Venue San Diego, we are excited to showcase a strong cohort of innovative life science companies and technologies from Japan.

As Title Sponsor of RESI San Diego 2026, Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC) is organizing 2 incredible afternoon sessions featuring promising innovations that are being developed in Japan. We welcome you all to join and learn more about what Japan’s life science ecosystem has to offer.

Space is limited, so we ask that you RSVP to confirm your attendance.

RSVP to Confirm Attendance

1:00 – 3:00pm | KBIC Session –– Japan Life Science Showcase ––

KBIC is Japan’s largest leading biomedical cluster, bringing together approximately 350 companies, medical institutions, and research organizations.

Within this ecosystem, many startups are actively advancing R&D activities and working diligently toward commercialization on a daily basis.

As part of this exciting network, KBIC will host pitches from eight startups that are particularly eager to engage with overseas investors and licensing partners, and that are well prepared for such international collaboration.

In addition, leading venture capital firms in Japan and the representative of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will speak about the current investment landscape as well as their perspectives on the future of the Japanese startup ecosystem.

ANT5 CellFold
FELIQS HIUCHI-Pharma
Juntendo-University Radio-Nano
United-Immunity VCCT

3:00 – 4:00pm | Kyoto-iCAP Session –– Translating Kyoto Science into Global Ventures ––

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd. (Kyoto-iCAP) and Kyoto University will introduce Kyoto’s growing biotech innovation ecosystem and showcase emerging life science ventures developing transformative technologies in regenerative medicine, cell therapy, nephrology, pain treatment and radiopharmaceuticals. The session is designed to foster connections between global investors, strategic partners, and leading Kyoto University-originated startups.

BTB Therapeutics CiRA
Orizuru-therapeutics Rege-Nephro
Shinobi_Therapeutics

Featured Interview: Dr. Narumiya, President of FBRI, shares his insights about Kobe and KBIC’s strengths and their role in strengthening the life science ecosystem in Japan.

Dr. Shuh Narumiya, President of Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (FBRI)

What is Kobe? What is KBIC?

Kobe is a port city and is now emerging as a key hub for startup creation and accumulation in Japan, particularly in bioscience and medicine. At the center of this ecosystem is the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC). In KBIC, you can meet institutes with Japan’s cutting-edge research, distinguished hospitals, research institutes of international Pharmas and start-ups, thus KBIC serving you as a “gateway to Japanese science and innovation”.

What science and innovation were and are being created in KBIC?

Science and innovation covered in KBIC span from drug discovery, regenerative medicine, digital health, and medical instruments and devices to bio-manufacturing. KBIC holds a distinctive position in regenerative medicine and cell therapy. It has, for example, nurtured and developed application of iPS cell research, leading to transplantation of iPSC-derived retinal cells in 2014, the world’s first clinical application, and the world’s first regulatory approval of iPSC-derived cells for a Parkinson’s disease treatment in 2026.

What are other advantages of KBIC?

Kobe is a part of Kansai region, an area of most distinguished life science research in Japan. Collaboration within the Kansai region is another strength of KBIC. Particularly, through partnerships with Kyoto University Innovation Capital (iCAP), KBIC supports the creation and growth of university spin-outs, combining Kyoto University’s research excellence with Kobe’s commercialization capabilities and vice versa.

What are the current state and issues of start-ups in Japan?

Today, Japan’s startup ecosystem—especially in the bio and life sciences sectors—is more vibrant than ever, producing a wealth of internationally competitive research and innovation seeds. However, these achievements are not yet fully recognized overseas, and many promising discoveries are still struggling for support to translate into commercial success. Bridging this gap is one of KBIC’s core roles.

Japan’s startups are now shifting from a domestically focused model to global expansion. In this transition, building international connections is critical. KBIC serves as a practical gateway for this purpose, offering integrated support from R&D to commercialization, fundraising, and global market entry.

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Don’t Underestimate the Importance of the Line 

9 Jun

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

DF-News-09142022

There is a line between deciding to pursue investors and partners and pursuing them. Most people believe they cross it the moment they decide. They don’t. Deciding is private. The line is the part the market can see, and the market only sees behavior. You can be completely certain you are committed and still be, as far as anyone outside your own head can tell, standing exactly where you were a year ago.

The market doesn’t care what you declare. It responds to what you do. What it reads is presence, whether you are in the room when it counts. There are moments when it counts more than others, when the people who fund and license and partner are not scattered across a thousand calendars but gathered in one place at one time, looking for their next opportunity. Those moments are real, and they are on the calendar. The wave forms whether you are ready or not. The only question it puts to you is whether you are in the water when it arrives.

Here is the part that surprises people. The companies that are serious about this do not try to be efficient about it. You would think the sophisticated move is to be selective, to take only the meetings that obviously matter and skip the rest. It isn’t, and there is a hard reason why. The meeting that changes your company does not announce itself going in. The lead investor is hidden inside a large number of conversations that look, beforehand, exactly like the ones that lead nowhere. The licensing partner is buried in a stack of introductions you cannot tell apart until you are sitting in them. You cannot reason your way to the one that counts and avoid the others. The only way to reach it is to go through the volume. So the serious company does not look for reasons to take fewer meetings. It looks for reasons to take more, because every additional relevant room is another draw from the deck the one card is hidden in. Most of the draws are blanks. That is not a flaw in the method. That is the method.

Activity guarantees nothing, and no one who has done this for long will tell you otherwise. What inactivity guarantees is the opposite. The company that is not in the room is not weighed, and ends up passed over. It is simply never seen, and the market does not hold a seat open for the company that didn’t show. It gives the seat to one that did. Which brings me to the week of June 22 in San Diego. That is a week the market gathers. The city fills with meetings, events, and venues all competing for the same hours, and RESI, on June 22, is built for exactly the thing I have been describing, a room assembled out of investors, licensing teams, and business development people who came specifically to find companies like yours.

Some of you reading this are already going to be there. You have a reason to be in San Diego that week, and you still have not decided to be in this particular room. Sit with that for a second. You will be in the same city, on the same days, with the market gathered a few miles away, and you are on the fence about walking in. There is a word for standing that close to the water, dressed to swim, watching the set roll past. The word is not caution. It is hesitation, and from the outside the market cannot tell the difference between a company that hesitated and a company that was never there.

The line we started with is not crossed by deciding you are ready. It is crossed in the open, by being where the market is while the market is there. If you believe you are ready, the week of June 22 is where that belief becomes visible or doesn’t. Register for RESI San Diego, June 22.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the line.

Register for RESI San Diego

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Investors Presenting at RESI San Diego

2 Jun

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

The Life Science Nation (LSN) team is gearing up for the highly anticipated RESI San Diego conference, bringing together investors, strategic partners, and early-stage life science innovators for a full day of insightful discussions and high-value networking during Convention Week.

This year’s panel lineup will explore some of the most important trends shaping early-stage healthcare investment and partnering, spanning pharma, medtech, diagnostics, oncology, AI, and venture financing. Attendees can expect perspectives from venture capital firms, corporate venture groups, pharmaceutical companies, strategics, and experienced healthcare investors actively evaluating emerging opportunities across the life science landscape.

As a global partnering conference focused on connecting early-stage companies with investors and strategic partners, RESI San Diego is designed to foster meaningful conversations between fundraising CEOs and active dealmakers. The panels will provide tactical insight into how investors assess opportunities, what strategic partners are looking for, and how companies can position themselves in today’s increasingly competitive fundraising environment.

Join the panelists below at RESI San Diego:

Friedemann-Janus
Friedemann Janus
Bayer		 Shiv-Krishnan
Shiv Krishnan
Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.		 Eva-Dahlen
Eva Dahlén
Novo Nordisk
Yaron-Daniely
Yaron Daniely
aMoon Fund		 Claudia-Generaux
Claudia Generaux
Bristol Myers Squibb		 Lana Ghanem
Lana Ghanem
Hikma Ventures
Kit-Law
Mankit Law
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)		 Debbie-Lin
Debbie Lin
T.Rx Capital		 Priya-Balachandran
Priya Balachandran
Life Science Angels
Andrew-Strong
Andrew Strong
Cancer Focus Fund		 Randy-Berholtz
Randy Berholtz
Mesa Verde Venture Partners		 Gunes-Bozkurt
Gunes Bozkurt
Beiersdorf
Damian-Carvajal-Ibanez
Damian Carvajal Ibanez
Debiopharm		 Nicolas-Cindric
Nicolas Cindric
Yahara Ventures		 Han-Dai
Han Dai
Viva BioInnovator
Luca-Giani
Luca Giani
Alumni Ventures		 Sam-Gussman-Toh
Sam Gussman-Toh
ARPA-H		 Ole-Henrik-Bang-Andreasen
Ole Henrik Bang Andreasen
Avant Bio
Rohit-Jain
Rohit Jain
HBS Alumni Angels of Northern California		 Ray-Jordan
Ray Jordan
Elmstead Holdings		 Mohsin-Khan
Mohsin Khan
Fortress Biotech
Cheryl-Kuai
Cheryl Kuai
Sixty Degree Capital		 Don-Lin
Don Lin
Guoqian Venture Capital Investment		 Andrew-Merken
Andrew Merken
Polsinelli PC
Ralph-Morales
Ralph Morales III
Aquillius Ventures		 Nick-Mourlas
Nick Mourlas
ReefHaven Ventures		 Mahesh-Narayanan
Mahesh Narayanan
Neuvation Ventures
Stephanie-Oestreich
Stephanie Oestreich
Myeloma Investment Fund		 Soyoung-Park
Soyoung Park
1004 Venture Partners		 Preetha-Ram
Preetha Ram
Pier 70 Ventures
Bob-Sweeney
Bob Sweeney
Global Health Impact Fund		 Divya-Yerraguntla
Divya Yerraguntla
Life Science Angels		 Chris-Yoo
Chris Yoo
Xcellerant Ventures
Register for RESI San Diego

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INNOPOLIS Jeonbuk, Title Sponsor of RESI San Diego 2026, to Host Jeonbuk Advanced Bio Boost-Up Innovation Showcase

27 May

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

Life Science Nation (LSN) is pleased to announce the INNOPOLIS Jeonbuk as a Title Sponsor of RESI San Diego 2026.

As part of the Jeonbuk Advanced Bio Boost-Up Platform initiative, INNOPOLIS Jeonbuk will host the Jeonbuk Advanced Bio Boost-Up Innovation Showcase at RESI San Diego on Monday, June 22, 10:00am – 12:00pm, featuring innovative life science companies from South Korea. The showcase aims to highlight emerging Korean biotech and healthcare technologies while connecting participating companies with global investors, strategic partners, and commercialization opportunities.

The Jeonbuk Advanced Bio Boost-Up Platform initiative is supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea and the Korea Innovation Foundation (INNOPOLIS Foundation), with the goal of strengthening Jeonbuk’s position as a global bio innovation hub. Through this initiative, regional startups and emerging companies are being supported in their efforts to expand internationally and engage with the global life science ecosystem.

South Korea has rapidly emerged as one of Asia’s leading biotechnology and healthcare markets, supported by strong scientific talent, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and increasing government investment in innovation. Within this landscape, Jeonbuk is actively developing its bio industry through strategic support for therapeutics, medical devices, digital health, diagnostics, regenerative medicine, and advanced biomanufacturing.

Participating companies include:

WittGen Biotechnologies – developer of a GenAI-based single-cell multi-omics simulation platform focused on oncology, immunology, and rare diseases.

 

Cellebrain – advancing MSC-based gene delivery technologies for oncology, fibrosis, and rare disease applications.

 

Youth Bio Global – developing allogeneic ECFC-based regenerative cell therapy platforms targeting vascular regeneration and ischemic diseases.

 

Erudio Bio Korea – developer of semiconductor-based multiplex diagnostic and AI molecular analysis technologies for preventive screening and oncology applications.

 

BASGENBIO Co., Ltd. – an AI-driven drug discovery company focused on target discovery and preclinical decision-support technologies.

 

VIEL-T Co., Ltd. – developing programmable RNA therapeutics platforms for next-generation precision medicine applications.

In connection with the initiative, INNOPOLIS Jeonbuk recently hosted the Global Investment Attraction Strategy & IR Capability Enhancement Seminar on May 21, 2026, at the Jeonbuk Techno Business Center in South Korea. The seminar brought together regional biotech companies, ecosystem stakeholders, and industry experts to discuss global fundraising strategies, investor engagement, and international commercialization opportunities for Korean life science companies.

As part of the program, Life Science Nation (LSN) shared insights on:

  • Global fundraising and investor outreach strategies
  • Building effective IR and partnering pipelines
  • Preparing Korean startups for international investors and markets
  • Opportunities through RESI and the global LSN ecosystem

The event also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between LSN and BSR Korea to strengthen collaboration in supporting Korean biotech and healthcare companies seeking global expansion and cross-border partnership opportunities.

Through the showcase at RESI San Diego 2026, INNOPOLIS Jeonbuk seeks to strengthen cross-border collaboration and provide Korean startups with greater access to global capital and partnering opportunities.

The program will feature:

  • An introduction to the Jeonbuk bio ecosystem and the Jeonbuk Advanced Bio Boost-Up Platform initiative
  • Startup pitches from participating Korean life science companies
  • Investor and industry expert feedback sessions
  • Networking opportunities with global investors and strategic partners

RESI San Diego 2026 will take place on Monday, June 22, at the JULEP Venue in San Diego. Join us for a full day of one-on-one partnering meetings, engaging programming, and the opportunity to build meaningful connections within the global life sciences ecosystem.

About INNOPOLIS Jeonbuk

The INNOPOLIS Jeonbuk is part of Korea’s national innovation cluster network operated by the Korea Innovation Foundation under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Based in Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, the cluster supports the commercialization and global expansion of innovative technologies and startups across the life sciences sector.

Through the Jeonbuk Advanced Bio Boost-Up Platform initiative, the cluster is focused on strengthening regional bio innovation capabilities and supporting Korean life science companies in accessing global investors, strategic partners, and international markets.

As a Title Sponsor of RESI San Diego 2026, the INNOPOLIS Jeonbuk aims to expand global collaboration opportunities for Korean startups and further connect the Korean bio ecosystem with the international life science community.

Register for RESI San Diego

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