As global expectations for biotechnology to solve critical challenges reach an all-time high, the Kyushu region—with its proximity to major Asian markets and its unique technological seeds—is increasingly expected to drive innovation for the global market.
Supported by Fukuoka Prefecture and Fukuoka City, we will organize a symposium which invites speakers from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), biotech startups, and investment firms. Speakers will discuss the future of the Japanese biotech ecosystem and its growing role in the global economy from the perspectives of industry, government, and academia. Furthermore, graduate students from Kyushu University will join us to share their fresh perspectives on the future of the field.
#Kyushu #Fukuoka #Biotech #Life Science #Drug Discovery #Innovation Ecosystem
#Entrepreneurship #Regional Economic Development #Global Market
Date: Monday, February 2, 2026, 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM (Lab Tour & Networking Reception 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Centennial Hall Kyushu University School of Medicine, Main Hall
(Lab Tour & Networking Reception: f-labs Kyushu University Hospital)
(Opens an external site)
Program
■Symposium (1:00 pm - 5:30 pm)
*Sessions will be conducted in both Japanese and English with simultaneous interpretation provided.
13:00 Opening Remarks
Jonathan Yeh, Managing Partner, Saisei Ventures
13:05 Guest Greetings
Honored Guest from Fukuoka Prefecture
Honored Guest from Fukuoka City
13:15 Discussion: New Company Creation and Regional Economic Development in Kyushu, Fukuoka, and Western Japan
Tatsuro Ishibashi, President, Kyushu University
Hardy TS Kagimoto, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Healios K.K.
13:50 Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem
Masaki Hamabe, Section Chief, Bio-Chemical Industries Division, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
14:00 Driving the creation of great companies and life changing medicines — a personal journey
Sven Kili, Partner, Saisei Ventures LLC
(15 min Break)
14:25 Panel Discussion: Creating Drug Discovery Ventures with Global Impact from Japan
Hikaru Saito, Partner, Saisei Ventures
Mitsuru Miyata, CEO, Miyata Institute of Technologies, Inc.
Ken-ichiro “Nobu” Kuninobu, Co-founder & CEO, FELIQS CORPORATION
Kanji Hosoda, President and CEO, PRD Therapeutics, Inc.
Shun Nishioka, President & CEO, Optieum Biotechnologies Inc
15:10 Discussion: How to Build Global Biotech from Local Regions — Featuring Kenai Therapeutics —
Howard Federoff, Scientific Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Executive Vice President of Corporate Medicine and Science, Kenai Therapeutics Kenai Therapeutics, Inc.
Jonathan Yeh, Managing Partner, Saisei Ventures
15:45 Special Partner Showcase 1
Takahiro Kabeya, Researcher, Frontier Research Department, Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.
15:55 Special Partner Showcase 2
Dai Tsujikawa, Partner, FFG Venture Business Partners Co., Ltd.
(15 min Break)
16:20 Bio-Venture CEO Presentations
Chieko Mori, Representative Director and CEO, Senno Therapeutics Inc.
Kazu Okuda, Founder & CEO, Universal Brain Inc.
16:40 Panel Discussion: Culturing Next-Generation Entrepreneurs in the Kyushu Region
Megumi Takata, Director, Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center of Kyushu University Professor, Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Economics / Director, Kyushu University Open Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.
Yuka Watanabe, Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center of Kyushu University Assistant Professor / Acceleration Manager
Hardy TS Kagimoto, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Healios K.K.
Nariaki Nishimura, Kyusokai Grantee (Graduate Associate, Saisei Ventures)
Yukie Noyori, Kyusokai Grantee (Graduate Associate, Saisei Ventures)
Sato Yoshidomi, Kyusokai Grantee (Graduate Associate, Saisei Ventures)
Yusuke Wada, Senior Associate, Saisei Ventures
Note: Session titles and speakers are subject to change or addition.
17:20 Closing Remarks
Hikaru Saito, Partner, Saisei Ventures
■Lab Tour & Networking（6:00 pm - 8:00 pm）
・f-labs Kyushu University Hospital Tour
・Networking Reception
Participation Fee
free (Networking Reception: 1,000 JPY）
Organizer
Organizer: Saisei Ventures
Special Partners:
Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.
Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.
FFG Venture Business Partners Co., Ltd.
Auspices:
Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka City
Fukuoka Jisho Co., Ltd.
ARO, Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR) Kyushu University Hospital
Kyushu University Open Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.
Fukuoka Bio-Community Promotion Conference
Contact
haruka@saiseiventures.com (Haruka Hibino, Communications, Saisei Ventures)
