1. What is the Metropolitan Bio Network Japan?
The metropolitan region centered around Tokyo and Yokohama is home to numerous players in the biotechnology field, including biotechnology-related research institutions, universities and major companies. The region also boasts a well-developed support environment in terms of IT infrastructure and funding for the cultivation of new industries. As a result, the region is garnering widespread attention as a major center for biotechnology-related industries.
Biotechnology startups, such as those that have their origins in universities, spin-offs, and secondary business startups, are key to the development of the kind of innovative industries that Japan requires in the future. To this end, the metropolitan area is expected to serve as the seedbed for the creation of new industries that will facilitate the success of these biotechnology startups.
In addition, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is currently promoting the Industrial Cluster Plan. Under this plan, it is envisaged that venture companies and small to medium-sized enterprises will supplement and improve the level of management and technological resources currently available through industry-academia and inter-industry tie-ups. In doing so, new corporate clusters that are highly competitive on the global stage will be created. These developments will be accomplished through the formation of a sophisticated human network that will span the various industrial, academic and government sectors.
As part of the plan, the Metropolitan Bio Network Japan (secretariat: Japan Bioindustry Association) was established in July 2002. Under the leadership of the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, the network serves as a platform for cultivating and supporting biotechnology-related startups in the Kanto region surrounding the capital (Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Shizuoka).
Today, the commitment by numerous parties, such as venture companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, large companies, universities, and research institutions, has resulted in the formation of a network that is engaged in a wide variety of projects aimed at the creation and development of biotechnology startups.
In 2005, four centers were established to further strengthen and expand the network: Bio Tsukuba, the Kazusa Bio Venture Network, the Yokohama/Kanagawa Bio Business Network, and Fuji Pharmavalley Bio Network. By forming ties with these centers, the network provides support that takes advantage of local characteristics．
2. Major Projects
-- Seminars, research meetings, networking events and other events
Events including seminars, research meetings, and networking events are held to provide members with valuable information on the creation and development of biotechnology-related startups, as well as to promote interaction and partnerships between these startups and other institutions (large companies, financial institutions, universities, research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises).
Examples:
Biotechnology Venture Forums
The Metropolitan Bio Network Japan holds large-scale business networking events where large companies, universities and other research and support institutions can gather. These events facilitate the development of extensive human networks among the biotechnology venture companies in the capital region. In addition to networking events, the network also develops program content suited to the actual conditions facing biotechnology startups for lectures, presentations and symposia.
Bio Business Salons
These salons provide exchange opportunities where a limited number of people (approximately 30) share ideas and advice regarding management and resource related issues facing biotechnology startups in a frank and open-minded environment. These events are comprised of mini-lectures and networking sessions.
Promotion of Collaboration and Funding
When biotechnology startups engage themselves in seeking partners for joint research projects, funding, stock underwriting, or technology sharing, events are held to provide opportunities for these startups to access information related to their technologies or business plans, to publicize their programs, and for requesting the resources that these startups may lack. The goal is to promote partnerships between the various biotechnology venture companies, as well as between biotechnology startups and venture capitalists, financial institutions, large companies, and university researchers.
-- Dispatch of Specialists
Individuals with specialized knowledge or expertise (Biobusiness Coordinators), that are able to provide appropriate advice or make referrals to alliance partners regarding the various management issues that member companies encounter, are dispatched free of charge to member companies.
-- Exhibits in Biobusiness Fairs
The Metropolitan Bio Network Japan hosts a booth at business fairs and expositions that attract large numbers of representatives and researchers in the industry. Selected members are invited to display their products or posters and to distribute their pamphlets or catalogs at the booth.
-- Provision of Information Via E-zines
Information that is valuable to biotechnology startups is scattered among a wide variety of resources and can be difficult to find. The network therefore publishes an e-zine that contains the latest information on technology development grants, seminars on business management, and information from other relevant institutions.
