Invest Newcastle to strengthen business ties with Japan at international biotech event

Invest Newcastle is attending BioJapan as part of a UK delegation led by MedCity and supported by the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA).

BioJapan is to be held in Pacifico Yokohama, Japan, from tomorrow (October 9) over three days and is Asia’s major partnering event for the global biotechnology industry.

It is said to play an important role in facilitating business opportunities with over 1,000 organisations from 34 countries attending the event.

This will be the 21st iteration of BioJapan, providing a platform to connect with decision makers and put Newcastle and the UK in front of global investors.

Invest Newcastle will be representing the North of England alongside the University of Leeds and NHSA, joining more than 20 other businesses and research institutions to promote the UK’s life sciences sector.

Together, they will be attending events bringing together the global life sciences sector, incubators and scaleups who are looking for global opportunities. They will also be meeting with digital and tech businesses based in Tokyo, interested in Newcastle for business opportunities.

Matt Bratton, senior investment manager from Invest Newcastle, who will be attending this three-day event, said: “We have so many sector synergies with Japan especially around the themes of ageing, tech and life sciences and there has never been a more opportune time to put our city and our expertise in front of global investors.

“We will not only be using this visit to promote the city and its expertise; we will be telling the world about our £350m development that is dedicated to the commercialisation of new products and services.”

He added: “Newcastle Helix is such a unique asset and a perfect location for tech and science-driven businesses who want to innovate and grow.

“Our strengths in life sciences and our credentials as a smart city really make us an attractive place for business. I can’t wait to promote our inclusive, smart and brilliant city.”

The event has come at a time when Newcastle has recently opened ‘The Biosphere’, a lab facility on Newcastle Helix for the commercialisation of life sciences, providing a new home for companies and life science entrepreneurs.

Invest Newcastle aims to deliver economic growth in Newcastle, by attracting and securing investment and jobs for the city.

Since it was established in 2013, it has supported more than 130 new businesses to relocate or expand, helping to create and safeguard over 7,500 jobs.