Application deadline: June 19, 2026
Mission dates: 05-09 October 2026
Are you active in the biotech, pharma, or related healthcare sectors and seeking business, technology, or collaboration opportunities in Japan? This autumn, the EU-Japan Centre invites EU SMEs, clusters and other eligible companies to join the Biotech Business Mission 2026. This mission offers a valuable opportunity to explore the Japanese market, meet potential partners and showcase your solutions.
ABOUT THE MISSION
The Biotech Business Mission 2026 is designed for European companies and clusters seeking partnering opportunities in Japan’s biotech, pharma and healthcare sectors. The mission combines participation in a dedicated partnering event in Osaka with attending BioJapan 2026, one of Asia’s leading bioindustry partnering events.
In 2025, BioJapan attracted more than 22,000 visitors and over 1,100 exhibiting companies and organisations. Close to 25,500 partnering meetings were held over 3 days.
This 5-day mission offers
- Participation in the EU-Japan Biotech & Pharma Partnering Conference in Osaka
- Participation in BioJapan 2026 with access to partnering and exhibition space under the joint EU-Japan Centre booth
- The EU-Japan Centre’s dedicated support with arranging tailored 1-to-1 meetings with Japanese counterparts
- Networking opportunities with Japanese and international stakeholders
SERVICES OFFERED BEFORE THE MISSION
Before travelling to Japan, participants will be provided with 2 online training modules to prepare for the mission. The sessions are currently scheduled in the mornings of 10 and 11 September 2026 (TBC). Details of the agenda for each day of training will be communicated in due course.
Programme
- Sunday, 4th October – Arrival in Osaka
- Monday, 5th October – Eu-Japan Biotech & Pharma Paterning Event
- Tuesday, 6th October – Site visit and/or Business Networking + Travel to Yokohama
- Wednesday, 7th October – Bio Japan 2026 + Networking Reception
- Thursday, 8th October – Bio Japan 2026 + Networking Event
- Friday, 9th October – Bio Japan 2026
Number of Participations: Up to 16
Participation:
This call for applications targets individuals working for companies, including both SMEs (*) and large companies, or clusters (**) from the European Union or a country associated with the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (***), active in one of the following fields:
- Drug discovery
- Drug discovery support including AI-assisted drug development
- Regenerative medicine
- Digital Therapeutics, including drug-device combinations, non-pharmacological therapy systems
(*) Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are companies that meet the standard criteria set by the European Commission to be classified as SMEs.
(**) Clusters are those who are registered in the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (https://clustercollaboration.eu/). Registration on that platform is free of charge.
(***) Please check the status of your country here.
Eligibilty
The applicant must:
- work for a legal entity located in the European Union or in a country associated with the Single Market Programme, SMP Pillar (***)
- have its (group) company/cluster headquarters in an EU/SMP country
- be supported by their head of department / CEO through a signed letter (in case they do not belong to senior management)
- be able to participate in the entire mission
- have a good command of English (recommended level: B2 or higher)
Companies or clusters outside the scope of the defined sector or type-specific business mission will be rejected.
Companies and clusters are eligible to participate multiple times. If prior participation in a business mission has occurred, please clearly state in the application form the reason for reapplying and the expected benefits of participating again.
Applicants may be declined if they have previously cancelled their participation or were absent during part of a prior mission without a valid reason, have acted contrary to the mission’s guidelines, local laws, customs, and regulations, or have disregarded the instructions of the EU-Japan Centre staf
PARTICIPATION FEE
To secure their spot, all selected participants must pay a EUR 1,000 deposit. This deposit will be refunded upon successful completion of full mission participation and submission of the questionnaires.
Large companies (non-SMEs / non-clusters) must also pay a non-refundable contribution fee of EUR 2,500 to secure their spot in the mission.
For more information about the event and participation qualifications please visit the website.
