MEDICAL MARVELS Japan startups receive boost from big pharma
By C Bryan Jones
One thing made clear by the coronavirus pandemic is that innovation in healthcare is essential to the future of society. Those who develop new treatments, technologies, and devices for medicine are, first and foremost, seeking to help individuals live their best possible lives. But their efforts and ideas are also essential to business success, not only in terms of a healthy workforce but also market vitality. In August, the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) announced an XPRIZE-style competition meant to spur industry-changing technologies and connect Japanbased startups with major pharmaceutical companies and public officials. Entitled Healthcare x Digital, the initiative is driven by a group of ACCJ committees—Healthcare; Alternative Investment; Information, Communications and Technology; and Secure Digital Infrastructure—and led by ACCJ Corporate Sustaining Members AstraZeneca K.K., Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd., and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC, as well as President’s Circle Member Eli Lilly Japan K.K. The ACCJ-Kansai Chapter played a critical role in organizing the competition. The aim was to attract 10–15 applicants, but the results far exceeded those expectations, with proposals submitted by 28 companies. Of these, 10 were chosen to take part in the Healthcare x Digital Pitch Event on October 29. PERFECT PITCH Three finalists were then invited to give a 20-minute presentation on December 1 at the virtual Healthcare x Digital Final Pitch and Awards Event, moderated by ACCJ Vice President Eric Sedlak.
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These companies, which competed for awards and prize money, represented a range of innovative ideas. Vying for honors were: Bisu, Inc. MediFrame, Inc. ■ MICIN, Inc. ■ ■
Bisu is transforming at-home urine testing through cutting-edge microfluidic technology, novel design, and intelligent software. MediFrame has developed a new platform for optimal drug treatment that shares information provided by pharmaceutical companies and the results of patient interviews with doctors, pharmacists, and other care providers. MICIN operates a telemedicine service and recently launched an online drug administration support system. Entries were judged on several criteria to assess the relevance and maturity of the team’s experience and skill mix, as well as the strength of the startup’s vision and strategy. Other factors included expertise, level of innovation, the startup’s flexibility, and the scalability of the idea. Takashi Nakaoka, manager of Beyond Next Ventures Inc.— a venture capital (VC) company launched in 2014—spoke about the difficulties that some startups face and how his
ATUSHI WADA CEO MediFrame, Inc.
