Nine companies selected for overseas ecosystem bridge support under the Nakanoshima Qross Drug Discovery Cluster Campus Project.

October 8th: Project outline presentation at the Future Medicine Forum in Yokohama

The Future Medicine Promotion Organization (hereinafter referred to as "Nakanoshima Qross", Chairman: Yoshiki Sawa), a general incorporated foundation that aims to strengthen its hub function as a hub for the industrialization of "future medicine" including regenerative medicine and international contributions, has selected nine companies from the 22 startups supported in the first phase of the program as recipients of the "Overseas Ecosystem Bridge Support" as part of the "Nakanoshima Qross Drug Discovery and Practical Application Promotion Program Support Project," which was adopted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's "Drug Discovery Cluster Campus Development Project."

The "Overseas Ecosystem Bridge Support" is an initiative that accelerates the overseas expansion of startup companies through strategic support, while also comprehensively supporting the building of local partnerships.Two support categories based on the growth stage of startups (overseas expansion support category *1, overseas strategy acceleration category *2)Offer.

Overseas expansion support quota*1Then,Plug and Play and CIC Institute This is a short-term (approximately one week) intensive program that builds direct contact with global pharmaceutical companies and overseas investors through collaboration with the FDA. The program aims to address the challenges that startups face, such as acquiring overseas collaboration partners, raising funds overseas, and expanding their business overseas.Overseas Strategy Acceleration Framework*2aims to support the formulation of local clinical trial plans and sales plans through communication with specific partners.

After interviewing startups interested in this program and conducting a selection process based on the expectations of the accelerator and global pharmaceutical companies, the following nine companies were selected.

[Overseas expansion support quota*1] 7 companies 
Plug and Play Program
・Exforest Therapeutics Inc. President and CEO Shunichi Kashida 
　https://www.xforestx.com/jp
・United Immunity Co., Ltd. President and CEO Masato Kishida
　https://unitedimmunity.co.jp/　　
・Atransen Pharma Co., Ltd. CEO Tomoyuki Asano 
　https://www.atransen.com/
・Lukxana Biotech Co., Ltd. CEO Hideaki Sato
　https://luxnabiotech.co.jp

CIC Institute Programs
・FerroptoCure Co., Ltd. Representative Director Yuji Otsuki
   https://ferroptocure.com
・HOIST Co., Ltd. Representative Director Chihaya Kakinuma
   https://hoist-jp.com/
・Kimio Nishimura, CEO of Antibody Medical Research Institute, Inc. 

[Overseas Strategy Acceleration Category*2] 2 companies
・Takayuki Kusanagi, President and CEO of Qualips Co., Ltd. 
　https://cuorips.co.jp
・Regenephro Co., Ltd. Representative Director Shofumi Morinaka
   https://www.regenephro.co.jp/

*1 [Overseas expansion support category]
This program aims to build a foundation for overseas expansion for startup companies. By sending company representatives overseas, the program aims to build local relationships, and as preparation, individual mentoring is provided, including holding seminars for overseas expansion and brushing up on English pitches and business strategies. At the host company, we create contact points with local partners and investors according to the needs of each company, and support the building of trust, providing strong support for the first step in overseas expansion.

*2 [Overseas Strategy Acceleration Scheme]
This program is aimed at startup companies that already have an overseas expansion strategy and track record, and aims to accelerate their overseas expansion. By supporting the building of local partnerships and the formulation of clinical trial and sales plans, it promotes corporate growth and strongly supports the improvement of competitiveness and success in the global market.
Through these programs, these companies will accelerate collaboration with overseas partners and the creation of business opportunities, aiming to expand innovative Japanese pharmaceuticals and treatments globally.
Nakanoshima Qross will further promote the practical application of drug discovery seeds, global-oriented incubation, and open innovation, aiming to strengthen Japan's drug discovery capabilities and contribute to the world.

Comments from the accelerators providing the program
■Seiji Iwasaki, Senior Manager, Health, Plug and Play Japan
We are honored to be able to support the overseas expansion of the startup companies selected for the Nakanoshima Qross Drug Discovery Cluster Campus Project. As part of our support for bridging overseas ecosystems, we will visit San Francisco in January 2026 to attend the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and Biotech Showcase, creating business opportunities with investors and pharmaceutical companies. Through this, we will strongly support the global business expansion of the selected companies.

■CIC Institute Assistant Director Ayano Kagami
We are honored to be able to support the global expansion of drug discovery startups with excellent technological seeds through this program. As a bridge connecting Japanese innovations to the world, CIC Institute aims to build direct networks with overseas investors and pharmaceutical companies, primarily in the Boston area, and will implement practical programs both domestically and locally. This will provide solid support for the further growth of selected companies.

　

In addition, “Nakanoshima Qross Future Medicine Forum”will be held in Yokohama (TKP Garden City PREMIUM Yokohama Landmark Tower) from 10:15 PM on October 8th. The forum will feature pitches from startups receiving support from overseas Ecosystem Bridge, introductions to support options from accelerators and global pharma companies, expectations for the Drug Discovery Cluster Campus project at Nakanoshima Qross, and initiatives to solve problems aimed at developing the CDMO business, with the aim of fostering new co-creation with domestic and international startups, investors, and pharmaceutical companies.
With the Osaka-Kansai Expo drawing the world's attention to Osaka, Kansai and the life science industry, and BioJapan, Asia's largest international biotechnology exhibition and partnering event, being held at Pacifico Yokohama from October 8th to 10th, we believe this event will be of great significance.

<Outline of Nakanoshima Qross Future Medicine Forum>
Date and time: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 15:00-18:30 (including networking)
Venue: TKP Garden City PREMIUM Yokohama Landmark Tower (Banquet Room B)
(25th floor, Yokohama Landmark Tower, 2-2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture)
Participants: Domestic and international startups, VCs, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, support organizations, local governments, media representatives Organized by: Future Medicine Promotion Organization (Nakanoshima Qross)
Cooperation: MIRACLE SCIENCE INNOVATION Co., Ltd.

Click here for details:https://nq20251008.peatix.com/
This forum will introduce the policy background of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's "Drug Discovery Cluster Campus Development Project," Nakanoshima Qross's drug discovery support efforts, expectations and recommendations from overseas partners, and the overseas expansion strategies of supported startups, and will widely disseminate from Yokohama the evolution of the formation of an international hub for future medicine originating from Nakanoshima, Osaka.

 [Contact] Public Relations Department, Future Medicine Promotion Organization
TEL: 06-6690-8973 / Email: pr@miraikiko.jp