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MedTech Actuator and JETRO Welcome Inaugural Cohort For The J-StarX HealthTech Gateway Program

We are incredibly excited to introduce you to the teams of the MedTech Actuator J-StarX HealthTech Gateway 2024 program. Over the next 9-months, these 20 startups will be provided intensive support to help them develop the skills, networks, and resources needed to successfully navigate the complex health commercialisation pathway.

Throughout the program, startups will connect to the extensive MedTech Actuator health innovation ecosystem. Over 100 speakers, 150 business, clinical and investment mentors, and the MedTech Actuator alumni portfolio will contribute their expertise to help these startups strategically grow and bring their innovation to the market faster while preparing them for future investment rounds.

J-StarX HealthTech Gateway startups come from all across Japan, with teams joining from Tokyo, Osaka, Kagawa, Kanagawa, Hyogo, Fukishima and Kyoto, Tsukuba, and Miyagi.

Meet the Teams Driving Innovation in Japan’s Health Ecosystem

Name

Description

AiRato, Inc

(Miyagi)

AI-based radiation treatment planning support service.

AMI, Inc.

(Tokyo)

By leveraging advanced medical device and AI technology, we make it possible to screen for cardiac diseases, even in facilities without access to specialists.

atDose Co., Ltd.
(Kanagawa)

Electric syringe that enable ultra-small and continuous local drug delivery.

Billion Health
(Tokyo)

Mild Cognitive Impairment assessment software using pulse wave.

CNS Drug Innovation
(Fukishima)

Our start-up in Fukushima, Japan, is pioneering the development of FABP3 inhibitors to treat Lewy body diseases, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

FairMed

(Hyogo)

Empowering surgeons to make decisive, data-driven decisions.

Tactoria

(Feel vision)

(Tokyo)

Walking support for visually impaired using haptic technology.

Gifts Inc.
(Tokyo)

Automatic Fetal Ultrasonography.

Hedgehog MedTech, Inc
(Tokyo)

A MedTech startup that is developing Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and digital therapeutics (DTx), especially for headaches.

IMMUNOSENS Co.,Ltd
(Osaka)

With core competencies in electro-chemical detecting technologies called GLEIA, we try to market world smallest quantitative POCT device and also to have opportunities for licensing the technologies to 3rd parties.

INOPASE Inc.
(Tokyo)

Smart implant device to restore bladder control.

iXgene Inc.
(Tokyo)

Gene and cell therapy product using genome-edited iPS cells for malignant brain tumors.

Joconne Inc.
(Tokyo)

Joconne is dedicated to improving women's health literacy and is currently developing a device to address urinary incontinence.

LIFESCAPES Inc.
(Tokyo)

Our startup addresses a crucial need: restoring motor function for stroke patients with severe paralysis. Stroke cases have increased 40% in the past decade, and current treatments are ineffective for severe hand paralysis. Our technology offers new hope for those considered untreatable.

Medeta, Inc.
(Tokyo)

Embryo Selection AI Products in Reproductive Medicine from Japan.

Physiologas Technologies Inc.
(Kanagawa)

Waterless hemodialysis system designed for home-use to enhance the quality of life for dialysis patients by providing safe and convenient treatment.

Setolabo.inc
(Kagawa)

Tests that can detect cancer at a very early stage.

SONoALS
(Osaka)

Early Diagnosis and Therapeutic Biomarkers for ALS Using Ultrasound Stickers and Machine Learning.

Super Genius Ltd.
(Tsukuba)

A face recognition method that is being developed to detect the vital signs(heart rate, lactate, glucose, etc) with a non-contact method (Camera).

UniMedical, Inc.
(Tokyo)

Developing a magnetocardiography using a quantum sensor, which is a medical device that contributes to the early diagnosis of heart diseases and provides new therapeutic intervention opportunities for patients.

The MedTech Actuator is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that curates a globally connected ecosystem of MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech innovation and investment. We do this by activating, accelerating and investing in startups.

  1. Activate – We prime and build capacity in the ecosystem, through our early-stage innovation pitch competition, the MedTech Actuator Origin and partnerships with hospitals and universities.
  2. Accelerate – We accelerate ventures and technologies through our flagship Accelerator program and our international programs, Desafía and Global Navigator. We do this in collaboration with the network of ecosystem partners covering the entire commercialisation pipeline, from product development, regulatory specialists and clinical trial specialists to manufacturers and investors.
  3. Invest – We connect and curate opportunities to invest and co-invest for our ecosystem partners.

J-StarX HealthTech Gateway is co-organised with JETRO.

Stay updated and follow our founders’ journey by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on LinkedIn.

MedTech Actuator Opens Office in Osaka, Japan

We are thrilled to announce the official opening of our newest MedTech Actuator office in Osaka, Japan!

The opening ceremony was held at JAMBASE, an innovation facility in Grand Green Osaka, a large redevelopment district on the north side of JR Osaka Station, where the office is located.

To celebrate this new beginning, we held a traditional Kagami-biraki sake-barrel ceremony, welcoming friends and partners from across Japan to join us in this exciting moment.

The night began with welcome notes by MedTech Actuator CEO, Dr Buzz Palmer, and CSO & Co-founder, Prof Vishaal Kishore.

“Healthcare innovation cannot exist without an ecosystem (where new technologies continue to be created). We will strengthen our commitment to Japan.” – Prof. Vishaal Kishore

The night’s proceedings also included further speeches from key partners:

  • Mr Toru Takahashi – Deputy Mayor of Osaka
  • Mr Shingo Torii – Chairperson of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) (Vice Chairman of Suntory Holdings)
  • Mr Sho Hideki – Director General, JETRO

This office opening marks a significant milestone in the MedTech Actuator’s journey, as we formally transition into the Japanese market after spending the past three years building significant relationships, programs, and a strong presence here.

We have developed a local team on the ground and are committed to deepening our roots in Japan and continuing to foster innovation in the health and medical sectors.

A huge thank you to our incredible partners from JETRO Startup, JETRO – Japan External Trade Organization and Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their unwavering support and commitment to such a bold model.

Over the coming months, we will be announcing new initiatives for global startups to access Japan in 2025. We are excited about the future and are eager to collaborate with the incredible talent Japan has to offer.

View more photos here.

Keep up to date with the latest MedTech Actuator news and information! Sign up to our newsletter here.


Further reading: Australian Medical Tech Supporter opens base in Osaka

[PRESS RELEASE] The OCCI signs MOU with MedTech Actuator to Build a Commercialization Ecosystem as Legacy of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

  • The Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) signs MOU with MedTech Actuator (Australia)
  • To Build a Commercialization Ecosystem as Legacy of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
  • Osaka as hub for Japan and East Asia, more intensive support for medical and health startups

On Friday, March 15, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) is going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MedTech Actuator – headquartered in Melbourne, Australia – to further expand their partnership.

MedTech Actuator is a global accelerator supporting startups in the medical, biotech and health fields. As Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai approaches, medical and health businesses are drawing more attention, and there will be an increasing number of opportunities for startups to gather in Osaka.

Amid such situation, recognizing Osaka as a hub for Japan and East Asia, both sides will work together to build an ecosystem for startups in the medical and health fields, which will then last as legacy of the expo, by using MedTech Actuator’s expertise on startup acceleration and OCCI’s experiences and networks across Japan in promoting medical-engineering collaboration and commercialization.

The partnership will provide programs for commercialization in Osaka, Singapore, Melbourne, etc. to support startups from Japan and other countries.

MedTech Actuator will also prepare for opening of their base in Osaka, where an international pitch competition in medical and health is planned to take place for the first time in 2025.


Summary of the MOU

The OCCI and MedTech Actuator agree to cooperate and complement each other and jointly work to discover startups across the Asia-Pacific region and other regions of the world and support them to accelerate commercialization in global markets by making the most of medical and health support programs that each party has.

Significance of the MOU

Startups in medical and health will receive support to determine their best exit strategy looking across global markets, thereby growing up to be a globally competitive company. Osaka will work as a hub for Japan and East Asia, and a global startup support ecosystem is expected to be built in the future through reinforced networks of ecosystem hubs located the world.


About the MedTech Actuator

A nonprofit organization that globally supports startups in the medical and health fields. Headquartered in Australia, MedTech Actuator has profound expertise and networks to provide startups with the best exit strategy in global markets. They have supported 200+ health startups, raised more than $750 million and placed 20 products/services in the market.

Support Programs for Startups in Japan

  • ORIGIN
    • Education and pitch program for early-stage startups including those in idea-stage
  • GLOBAL NAVIGATOR
    • Program that helps small and medium-sized companies aiming to expand their business overseas

Read the full press release

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