Kawasaki, Japan, June 6, 2022 - BioLabs Global (“BioLabs”), the premier global operator of co-working laboratory facilities for high potential life science start-ups, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP), and Innovation Center for Nanomedicine (“iCONM”) announced their collaboration and the launch of a new co-working facility in Tonomachi’s King SkyFront at a ceremony today with Kawasaki City. This collaboration ceremony also celebrates BioLabs’ first step to provide co-working laboratory space in Asia.
Founded by biotech entrepreneurs and investors, BioLabs has first-hand experience with the pain-points biotech start-ups face. BioLabs builds ecosystems that empower life science entrepreneurs to focus on innovation, accelerate company growth, and maximize capital efficiency by delivering best-in-class lab space, essential business services, a powerful network of innovators, and connections to experts that offer inspiration and advice. With this unique model, BioLabs empowers entrepreneurs to accelerate their science and have a lasting impact on the world.
By collaborating with KIIP and iCONM to support iCONM’s new start-up incubator, BioLabs expands its global network into Japan and furthers its mission to support life science entrepreneurs world-wide. The iCONM incubator, in collaboration with BioLabs, is designed to nurture high-potential life science start-ups in the seed to early clinical stages. This new facility leverages the many resources already found at the iCONM research facility, including fully equipped laboratories, beautiful collaboration spaces, and excellent core facilities, such as organic chemistry, biochemical and pharmacological analysis, advanced microscopy, and animal facilities. iCONM, in collaboration with BioLabs, is located within walking distance to the Haneda airport and strives to become the epicenter for collaborative life science innovation in Kawasaki; here is where entrepreneurs can focus on growing their companies and developing their cutting-edge technologies. Combining iCONM’s state-of-the-art research facility with BioLabs’ operational excellence and connections to a global biotech network will accelerate life science innovation in Japan.
“By working together to support Japanese start-ups and the innovation ecosystem, BioLabs expects iCONM to become a magnet for world-class biotech companies. In addition, I believe our collaboration will have significant impact on Kawasaki by stimulating job growth and continuing to build a vibrant innovation community. We hope our collaboration helps to accelerate the start-up ecosystem in Japan." said Johannes Frühauf, founder & CEO of BioLabs.
“With this project collaboration, KIIP is taking a major new step forward. By connecting iCONM, which is operated by KIIP, with the global innovation ecosystem, we hope to support biotech startups in Kawasaki that will pioneer a new society, and that in the future startups like ModeRNA will be born here. We would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and everyone involved for their assistance in making this project a reality” said Atsushi Miura, Chairperson, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP).
“The timing of the collaboration with our best partner, BioLabs, comes at a perfect time as the King SkyFront grows and wants to connect with the world. I am thrilled to see the creation of a bi-directional collaboration that not only connects Kawasaki to the world, but also connects the world to Kawasaki. I believe that when the startups born here grow up, Kawasaki City and the banks of the Tama River, including the Ota Ward side, will be well received as a gradated area, which will lead to the development of our city and our country.” said Norihiko Fukuda, Mayor, City of Kawasaki.
“iCONM has state-of-the-art research equipment and laboratories capable of everything from precision processing to organic synthesis and pharmacological testing, as well as dedicated staff and committees to manage them. In addition, a system is in place to provide the necessary support for social implementation, such as intellectual property and communications, by personnel with extensive industrial experience. We hope that these assets cultivated through the Center of Innovation Project (COINS) supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) will be put to good use and contribute to the growth of startup companies with the experienced know-how of BioLabs.” said Kazunori Kataoka, Center Director, Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM).
“Through this collaboration, we will combine the expertise of KIIP and BioLabs. This is an extremely unique initiative to build an ecosystem infrastructure in Japan in collaboration with the City of Kawasaki by creating an environment conducive to global startups in a municipality-based nanomedical innovation center. We hope this collaboration will accelerate innovation in Japan and globalize the ecosystem.” said Hiroshi Atsumi, Site Director, Business Incubator Office, KIIP.
About BioLabs
BioLabs is the definitive growth partner for life science entrepreneurs; empowering innovators to accelerate their science, scale their businesses, and have a lasting impact on the world. BioLabs builds sector-defining ecosystems that deliver best-in-class lab space, essential business services, a powerful network of innovators, connections to experts who offer “been-there” insight, and on-site staff who have unparalleled experience guiding founders through the operational complexities of growing a biotech company. BioLabs currently operates 14 co-working facilities in key biotech innovation hubs across North America and Europe, with on-going expansion projects in new geographies worldwide. www.biolabs.io.
About Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP)
KIIP was established, and fully-funded, in 1988 by Kawasaki City to address the hollowing out of industry and changes in the structure of demand. The goals of KIIP are to develop Kawasaki into an R&D-oriented epicenter, cultivate the technological capabilities to support innovative companies, foster human resources, and understand market needs at a higher level. KIIP utilizes the functions of the Kawasaki Industrial Promotion Hall to promote exchange of regional industrial information, and advance technology and corporate exchange through the establishment of the R&D organization. KIIP fosters creative human resources through workshops, as well as other training programs, and expand sales channels through exhibition programs; thereby contributing to the revitalization of the regional economy.
About the Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM)
The Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), commissioned by Kawasaki City, is a leading research facility that will serve as the nucleus for life sciences at the King Sky Front. The facility has been operated by the Kawasaki City Industrial Promotion Foundation since April 2015. iCONM is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and laboratory equipment capable of conducting R&D from organic synthesis and microfabrication to preclinical testing in a single step. This very unique research facility is unparalleled in the world and designed to promote open innovation through industry-academia-government and medical-industry collaborations. https://iconm.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/
About iCONM Incubator in collaboration with BioLabs
The Kawasaki Industrial Promotion Foundation will conduct an incubation program to support startups in the seed and early life science fields at the Innovation Center for Nano-Medicine (iCONM). iCONM's research facilities are fully equipped with analytical instruments, designed to facilitate the creation of innovations, and provides many spaces that promote communication and collaboration. By combining the know-how of the Kawasaki Industrial Promotion Foundation and its global network of partners, we expect to accelerate the growth and globalization of startups. https://iconm-service.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/
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