© 2025 Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry & Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy
KBDO President Visits Healthcare expo Taiwan, Eyeing Partnerships in Precision Health and Regenerative Medicine Markets
2025-07-10
📣Unlock New BioTech Partnerships in Asia!
【2025 Registration Opens Now ▸ https://ibmi.pse.is/7mn2dd 】
Japan’s biotechnology sector has made significant advances in cancer therapeutics, regenerative medicine, and gene therapy in recent years, prompting Japanese biotech companies to actively pursue international partnerships to expand their global market share. As part of this strategy, Dr. Tsuneaki Sakata, President of the NPO Kinki Bio-Industry Development Organization (KBDO), recently visited Taiwan. During his visit, Dr. Sakata shared the association’s extensive experience in promoting industry-academia collaboration and biotech innovation, and expressed a clear intention to build deep, long-term partnerships with Taiwan’s biotech industry.
Dr. Tsuneaki Sakata, President of the NPO Kinki Bio-Industry Development Organization (KBDO), emphasized Japan's strategic focus on Taiwan as a key partner in expanding global market access for its biotechnology innovations.
About NPO Kinki Bio-Industry Development Organization (KBDO)
Founded over 40 years ago by former Osaka University President Dr. Yuichi Yamamura, the KBDO now counts 146 member organizations, ranging from leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies to startups and academic research institutions.
Trends in Japan’s Biotechnology Market
Japan’s biotech industry is entering a new era focused on precision health and regenerative medicine. To accelerate industry growth, the government has established eight national bio-communities, centered around Tokyo and Kansai, to drive open innovation and foster collaboration between industry, government, and academia. The Biocommunity Kansai (BiocK), launched in 2021, plays a key role in this ecosystem, with specialized subcommittees dedicated to environment, food, and healthcare, all aimed at addressing pressing social challenges and showcasing strong innovation momentum.
Dr. Tsuneaki Sakata of KIBDO engaged in discussions with representatives from Taiwanese biotechnology firms, exploring potential collaborations and opportunities within Taiwan's dynamic sector.
Pursuing International Collaboration
During his visit, Dr. Sakata highlighted his keen interest in Taiwan’s biomedical achievements. He noted that the Kansai region’s advanced technological resources can create substantial collaboration opportunities for Taiwanese companies, while Taiwan’s innovation capabilities have the potential to help Japanese firms access new markets.
Notably, Dr. Sakata’s visit marks KBDO’s first proactive step toward establishing a presence in the Asian market. While the association has existing ties with organizations in several countries, it has yet to form an official partnership in Asia, making Taiwan a top priority for future cooperation. With Japan’s rapidly aging population driving increased demand for biomedical solutions, there is strong optimism about the potential for Taiwan and Japan to jointly explore new opportunities in regenerative medicine, biomanufacturing, and medical devices for aging societies.