On Friday, October 31st, we held the "NQ Global Startup Gateway (Nakanoshima Cross Global Startup Creation and Hub Promotion Project) Kick-off Event (Information Session and Project Call)".

On Friday, October 31st, 2025, the "NQ Global Startup Gateway (Nakanoshima Cross Global Startup Creation and Hub Promotion Project) Kick-off Event (Information Session and Project Call)" was held at the Qrossover Lounge Yume on the second floor of Nakanoshima Qross.

The event featured introductions to various projects by the NQ Global Startup Gateway consortium*1, which was commissioned by Osaka Prefecture to carry out the Nakanoshima Cross Global Startup Creation and Hub Promotion Project. In addition, Yoshiki Sawa, Chairman of the Future Medicine Promotion Organization, spoke about the outlook for the "Future Medicine Startup Ecosystem," which is being undertaken through industry-government-academia collaboration.

Many people participated, including researchers, startups, corporate representatives, support organizations, and investors, as they took the opportunity to learn about new support programs in the life sciences field, such as global acceleration (■1), COO talent development (■2), and AI x drug discovery support (■3).

In the opening remarks, Takeshi Okumura (Director of Future Medical Industrialization Promotion, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor, Osaka Prefecture) spoke about the significance and expectations of this program as the organizer. This was followed by a speech by Yoshiki Sawa (President of Future Medical Promotion Organization, a general incorporated foundation) from Nakanoshima Cross, where the program will be held.

The following panel discussion was held, in which organizers of NQ Global Startup Gateway and companies providing each project discussed strategies for helping Osaka-based startups succeed on the global stage.

[Panelists]
Mr. Yuki Oue (Chief Director, Collaboration Promotion Group (Osaka Bio Headquarters Secretariat), Life Science Industry Division, Growth Industry Promotion Office, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor, Osaka Prefecture)
Yu Moriguchi (Assistant to the President, Future Medical Promotion Foundation / Specially Appointed Lecturer, International Medical Center, Osaka University)
Liu Lei (Director of Innovation Partnerships & i2.JP, Insights & Business Excellence Division, AstraZeneca K.K.)
Junichi Azuma (Japan General Manager, MedTech Actuator LLC)
Yoshihide Ishii (President and CEO, ALLOY THERAPEUTICS Co., Ltd.)
Shinya Yamamoto (General Manager, Deep Intelligent Pharma Inc.) *Online presentation

[Facilitator]
Yoshiki Sawa (Chairman of the Board, Future Medicine Promotion Organization)
Jun Miyagawa (CEO, MIRACLE SCINECE INNOVATION Co., Ltd.)

The core of the discussion was a consensus that the key to success lies not simply in technological prowess, but in the organic integration of multiple elements. Specifically, three essential conditions for success were identified: 1) deep penetration into the local "inner circle" ecosystem overseas to develop "sellable products" that meet market needs; 2) the presence of a "Chief Operating Officer (COO)" who supports scientists and is willing to do the hard work of running the business; and 3) maintaining global competitiveness without placing AI at the core of the business from the start. To overcome Japan's lack of global success stories, participants expressed strong expectations for this program to build an ecosystem that integrates "global expansion support," "COO talent development," and "AI accelerators," and to systematically create success stories through collaboration with overseas players with successful know-how.

Next, the person in charge of each project gave an explanation of the project contents and recruitment.

■1: Global Accelerator
In collaboration with Nakanoshima Qross, we are gathering promising startups in the life sciences field and promoting efforts to create startups that can be active globally by providing tailored SU support programs and overseas travel support programs.
AstraZeneca, Cambridge Consultants, and MedTech Actuator have joined forces to plan and implement a tailor-made global acceleration program called the "Qross Health Accelerator," leveraging each other's strengths and focusing on expanding into overseas markets.
Details＞https://nq-gateway.jp/programs#nqhealth

■2: Nakanoshima Qross COO Human Resources Development Program
Based on the "COO (Chief Operating Officer) Talent Development Program" implemented by Alloy Therapeutics' 82VS Venture Studios for US SUs, this has been improved as a talent development program for domestic SUs and is being offered to domestic SUs as the "Nakanoshima Qross Version of the COO Talent Development Program."
Details＞https://nq-gateway.jp/programs#coo

■3: NQ Bio-Catalyst AI Accelerator Program
A program that aims to transform promising startups into investable companies by leveraging Deep Intelligent Pharma's cutting-edge AI technology and global industry expertise.
Details＞https://nq-gateway.jp/programs#bio

During the networking session after the event, there was a lively exchange of opinions between speakers and participants, and questions about each project, leading to interaction that transcended positions.

During the event, the website for this program was officially released, and recruitment has begun in earnest.
NQ Global Startup Gateway WEB＞https://nq-gateway.jp/

*1NQ Global Startup Gateway joint venture
・MIRACLE SCIENCE INNOVATION Co., Ltd. (Representative organization) (Kita-ku, Osaka City, Representative Director and CEO Jun Miyagawa)
AstraZeneca K.K. (Kita-ku, Osaka City, Insights & Business Excellence Division, Innovation Partnership & i2.JP Director Liu Lei)
Cambridge Consultants Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Yoichi Ishige)
MedTech Actuator LLC (Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan General Manager: Junichi Azuma)
ALLOY THERAPEUTICS Co., Ltd. (Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative Director: Yoshihide Ishii)
・Deep Intelligent Pharma Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Lee Hsing)