Activity Report 2013

New Era of Open Innovation
Toward the Creation of a New Bioindustry

Create the future
via bio-innovation

Japan Bioindustry Association

Chairman

President

Executive Director

MichioOishi

Osamu
Nagayama

YoshiakiTsukamoto

Professor Emeritus,
University of Tokyo
President of KAZUSADNA Res. Inst.

Representative Director
Chairman & CEO
Chugai PharmaceuticalCo., Ltd.

Ex-Professor, Titech.
Ex-Director-Generalof Shikoku Bureau
of METI

In the latter half of the 20th century, there was an expectation that throughJBA Activity Report 2013

contents
Mission3

1 Policy Proposal and Dialog

4

new biotechnologies such as DNA cloning and others based on molecularbiology, the world would witness the rise of new bioindustries. However, in
reality, there was no appreciable industrial movement that would meet those
expectations. Although it is generally accepted that a substantial time lag

2

Science Agora for Information
on Advanced Biotechnology

53Open Innovation
through Networking

64International Network

11

5

Establishing the Infrastructureof Bioindustry

13

usually exists between the emergence of a new science and that of a new
industry based on that technology, seemingly exaggerated expectations led toa situation where the enthusiasm for novel biotechnology-oriented industries
was almost extinguished. After more than a decade into the 21st century,
however, many people now believe that we are ﬁnally entering a new era ofdeveloping bioindustries based on these technologies.
Several achievements are already noteworthy: development of new drugs
utilizing the knowledge of molecular reactions in cells, selective administrationof medicines reﬂecting an individualʼs genetic background, development ofagricultural plants by genetic recombination and/or novel breeding methods
based on marker-assisted selection, and development of biofuels as a key tosolve environmental problems. It is clear that bioindustries are ﬁnally startingto take solid strides to the future.
Fortunately, the technologies that form the foundation for new bioindustries

About JBA

such as fermentation and breeding technologies have already been well

JBAʼs roots date back to Shusei Kyokai（the Distilled Spirits Institute）
established in 1942.
Its name, after being changed
to the Japanese Association ofIndustrial Fermentation, was renamed
as Japan Bioindustry Association（JBA）in 1987.

established in Japan. Accordingly, Japan is well positioned for the future
development of bioindustries in these ﬁelds. On the other hand, we should
also recognize that bioindustries have been diversiﬁed with unprecedented
speed, as new technologies and business models have emerged. Therefore,
needless to say, our bioindustries should not rest on their laurels in going
forward. As we enter this new era, the role of JBA will become increasingly
important, and because of this, I reaﬃrm my commitment to expand my roleand to contribute in new and creative ways as chairman of the organization.

Members
Corporate members ― 190 companies（pharmaceutical, food, chemical, cosmetic
and machinery companies）

Michio Oishi
Chairman of Board of Directors
Japan Bioindustry Association

Public members ― 91 organizations
Individual members ― 775（university and corporate researchers）

Budget: 430 million yen（2013）

2

©2013

Activity Report 2013

MissionJBA contributes to bioindustry and related industries
in the ﬁelds of health, environment and food.
Our mission at JBA is to address the imminent problems facing mankind
such as those concerning climate change and biodiversity and to facilitate
implementation of appropriate measures as necessary, particularly byutilizing the latest developments in biosciences in an effective manner.
To that goal, one of the most important priorities of JBA is to formulate
and advance specific public policies through science-based reviews ofregulations as well as to craft strategies to strengthen collaboration
between industry, academia and government. Furthermore, to encourage
the exchange of vital data and information, we realize that cooperation andcommunication with like-minded organizations throughout the world is ofparamount importance. We are keenly aware of the value of providing free
and open access to information regarding new technologies and products toall those who are interested in opportunities for innovation. On a more local
level, our mission will also be expanded to help organize and develop regional
associations for bioindustries in Japan. As an example of such endeavors,
we hold an annual fair called BioJapan which comprises exhibitions, seminars
for academia and industry, and business to business matching.

1

Policy Proposal
and Dialog

42

Science Agora
for Information
on Advanced Biotechnology

International
Network

5

3

Open Innovation
through Networking

Establishing
the Infrastructureof Bioindustry

5 actions of3

1

actionPolicy Proposal and Dialog
JBA has oﬀered a variety of policy proposals and opportunities for dialog
for the sound development of biotechnology and bioindustry in cooperation
with member companies, universities and government bodies.

JBA cooperates in the activities of the Japan
Association of Bioindustry Executives* as anorganization for integrating opinions andfor making effective proposals for national
policies. In addition, JBA endeavors to integrate
opinions from the standpoint of science bytransmitting public comments, staging eventsand planning seminars at BioJapan.

Member companies
Academic conference

Integrationof opinions

JBA & JABEX
Transmitting
publiccomments

Business environment
Research environment
Maintenance/improvement

Reﬂectionin policy

Proposals

Present Cabinet: Established in June 1999.
＊ Japan Association of Bioindustry Executives（JABEX）
The current number of JABEX members is 56. It is an extensive congregation of representatives ofJapanese bioindustry-related organizations and is addressing the problems of bioindustry,making proposals and taking action for the sound development of bioindustry.

Accomplishment ‒1

Proposal on the Comprehensive Strategy for Bio-Innovation

JBA has been working as a secretary of JABEX. After several months of discussions by the committee of New Strategy for Bio-Growth Strategy,in August 2010 JABEX released and posted to the JABEX website the “Proposal on the Comprehensive Bio-Growth Strategy”, and held
dialogues with top government oﬃcials, politicians, and top leaders of bioindustry. Subsequently, from October 2012 JABEX re-organized theworking committee, discussed the growth strategy from new aspects over several months, and completed its Proposal on the Comprehensive
Strategy for Bio-innovation, which it released and posted online in March 2013 as a strategy for the new government administration. JABEX
promoted and submitted its proposal following briefings for the Executive Members of Council for Science and Technology Policy, key
persons such as the government members of committees and leading politicians, and leaders of bioindustry such as Keidanren, the Japan
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association（JPMA）, and Japan Association for Techno-innovation in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries（JATAFF）.

Proposal on the Comprehensive Strategy for Bio-Innovation（main points）
ーThe global bioindustry through collaboration of the bioindustry, academia, and the growth in Japan ー■ Aim to be the top in the world, by leading Asian countries with All-Japan structure and securing a ﬁrm presence■ Achieve innovation through global science and technology strategy■ Contribute to economic revitalization and disaster reconstruction through biotechnology

Ⅰ Promotion of innovation throughscience and technology strategy

1. Strengthening of the function as headquaters to promote scientiﬁcand technical innovation
2. Promotion of regulatory reform
3. Establishing the preparation of a bio-venture support structure
4. Human resource development to support the growth of biotechnology

Ⅱ Comprehensive strategy for innovation
through biotechnology

1. Promotion of medical-related innovation
2. Energy and environment
3. Agriculture and food production
4. Improvement of healthAccomplishment ‒ 2
The promotion of two major areas of innovation ー Green innovation and Life innovation ー were put forth as pillars for growth in the
New Growth Strategy adopted by the Cabinet in June 2010 and the 4th Phase of the Science & Technology Basic Plan adopted by the
Cabinet in August 2011. The promotion of open innovation is considered a key policy leading to the creation of new technologies andgrowth industries. JBA, receiving information concerning these science and technology policies and bioindustry growth strategies
directly from the responsible parties behind their proposal in relevant government bodies, arranged seminars for the exchange ofideas. In ﬁscal 2012, nine seminars were held:

1. Promotion of and issues related to measures concerning foodlabeling and food safety and security
2. Initiatives concerning international strategic special districts
related to life sciences
3. Policy measures concerning the promotion of renewable energy
and biomass usage

4

4. Policies and issues under the 5-year strategy for medical innovation
5. Policy measures concerning science and technology innovation
6. Integrated promotion of life innovation
7. Clinical research and clinical trial vitalization initiatives
8. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council initiatives
9. Current state of and issues in Japan's health care industry

2

actionScience Agora for Information
on Advanced Biotechnology

Activity Report 2013

JBA is addressing the provision of biotechnology and new technical information on the industry,along with the discovery of seeds and industrialization,in cooperation with member companies, universities and government bodies.

JBA collects advanced biotechnology information in Japan and overseas, conducts
research on the latest development trends
and discovers technical seeds that may leadto new industries. JBA shares the results
among the members through lecturesand seminars. Furthermore, JBA considers
project concept sthat should be deployedin cooperation with industry, government
and academia.

Member companies
Academia（universities in general）

Advanced biotech
information

Seminars/
Study meetings

Joint researchdevelopment allianceamong the members
Promotion of research
projects cooperatively
among academia, industry
and the government

Proposal fornational projects

Applications
from the public

Public agencies

Accomplishments
In ﬁscal 2012, JBA hosted a total of 42 workshops, seminars, lectures, symposiums, and study tours. This schedule equated to some sortof event held nearly every week, covering 191 subjects and drawing 2,905 participants. Looking at events in technology ﬁelds, medical/
pharmaceutical-, environmental-, and manufacturing-related subjects were greatest in number, followed in order by subjects related
to fundamentals/infrastructure- and foods/health foods. The percentage of subjects in the ﬁeld of foods/health foods was 16.7%, up
from 10.9% in the previous ﬁscal year. For its corporate members, JBA conducted four surveys on drug repositioning, food engineeringresearch, safe drug discovery research, and intellectual infrastructure development planning during the fiscal year, with the results
reﬂected in seminars and policies. In addition, proposals from corporate members and other academic societies are on the rise.
During the fiscal year, JBA made particular efforts in activities oriented toward the proposal of new projects, and conducted eightseminars with the aim of creating projects or establishing consortiums. As a result, JBA contributed to the establishment of theHighly-Functional Gene Design Technology Research Cooperative and to preparation for the establishment of the Next-Generation
Biopharmaceutical Production Technology Research Cooperative.
Foods/
health foods
16.7 %
Medical care/
Study meeting on
Industry Government
Medicine“Biotechnology toward
26.7%
26.2%
33.3%
the future”

University-launchedselectedbio-seminar
Study group on
fermentation andmetabolism

Medical care,
Medicine

Academia
47.1 %

Presenter

Study group on alcohol
fermentation& biomass utilization

Environment/
Manufacturing
31.0%

Subject［April 2012‒March 2013］（191subject）

Environment,
Manufacturing
No. ofparticipants

Study group on
new resource
bioconversion

Basic/
fundamental
tech. 19.0 %No. of participants

No. of subjects

No. ofsubjects

Foods,
Health foods

Fundamental
technology

Study group on
bioengineering

Study group on
biologicals

Oﬀeringbio-tech
information

Increase in seminars & audience5

3

actionOpen Innovation through Networking

In alliance with member companies, universities and the government, JBA provides opportunities
to help the development of biotechnology and industry

JBA annually holds an international comprehensive bio event, BioJapan*, as an effectivemeans to build a business platform for thepromotion of alliances between parties, tocreate opportunities for open innovation, etc.
Furthermore, through the activities of interactive
meetings of nationwide bio groups, primarily
aiming for the development of drug-discovery
bioclusters/bio-venture companies, JBA not only
promotes deeper exchanges with nationwide
bioclusters and bio groups but also aims tobecome the hub of those activities.

Venture members
Academia

Technology/seeds
Provision ofopportunities;
supportJBA BioJapan
Japanese Regional
Clusters Forum
Provision of dataon venture companies

Promotion of alliances
Open innovation
Promotion of businessexpansion

Member companies（Foreign companies）＊ BioJapan An international comprehensive bio event that contributes to the publicizing of
biotechnology as a whole. Launched in 1986 and held every year since 2004, BioJapan boasts
the longest history of similar events in Japan. It oﬀers exhibitions, business partnering meetings,
technological presentations by universities / venture companies and themed seminars

Accomplishments

2012
New Era of Open Innovation in Asia
Oct.10 to Oct.12, 2012 Yokohama
Subjects 1) Life, 2) Green, 3) Bioclusters & Ventures
Organizer BioJapan Organizing Committee（JBA andseven other organizations）and ICS Convension Design
Inc.

Participants Visitors: 12,369 visitors
Exhibition 510 companies and organizations from around

6

Business partnering Using a unique Web businessmatchingsystem, event participants enjoyed many opportunities formatching their technological seeds. There were approximately
3,400 one-on-one meetings during the event.
Academic seeds presentations These offered oppor-

the world presented their products and technologies on the
exhibition ﬂoor.

tunities for planning joint research with corporations
through result presentations by 18 universities / publicresearch institutes.

Pacifico Yokohama

Exhibitions

Activity Report 2013

Opening Ceremony
Welcome Address
Michio Oishi Chairman JBA
With representatives attending
from 22 countries around theworld, I am also particularly
delighted that the Nobel Prizein Physiology or Medicine wasrecently awarded to Professor
Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto
University, who has worked
Michio Oishi
closely with this field. Thereis no doubt that biotechnology is an industry with great future
potential.
…………………………………………………………………………
The special guests who attended the ceremony included Ikuro
Sugawara, Director-General of the Manufacturing Industries

Ikuro Sugawara

Kiyotaka Mitsuda

Takao Abe

Bureau at the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Kiyotaka
Mitsuda, The Director of the City of Yokohama Economic Aﬀairs
Bureau; and Takao Abe, the Mayor of the City of Kawasaki. They
expressed their expectations for the growth growth of BioJapanand of industries based on biotechnology and life innovation.

Keynote Speeches
The keynote speakers were Isao Teshirogi, President, Japan
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association; Andrew C. vonEschenbach, President, Samaritan Health Initiatives, Inc.,

Isao Teshirogi

Former Commissioner of the United States Food and Drug
Administration; and Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, President & CEO,
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation.
Mr. Teshirogi gave a speech titled “Bio-Innovation from Asia”, explaining the importanceof the Asian market including Japan, in near
future.
Mr. Eschenbach gave a speech titled “Creating
Solutions in the 21st Century of the Life Sciences",
describing how 21st-century society will enjoy
great benefits resulting from investment in thelife sciences.
Mr. Kobayashi gave a speech titled ”Life
Science and Green Innovation of Mitsubishi
Chemical Holdings”, introducing his companyʼsstrategies in bioindustry fields.
Andrew C. von Eschenbach Yoshimitsu Kobayashi

Business Partnering

Academic Seeds Presentation

This was the largest business matching event in Asia, with 868
partnering participants. Registrants for the matching system
numbered 627 persons from 22 countries and regions, with about
3,400 business matching discussions held. For the event, JBA drew
on its past experience to develop and oﬀer a completely new webbased matching system featuring high usability. In addition, throughthe new introduction of fees for usage of the system, the event wasable to attract enthusiastic and serious participants, and garneredconsiderable praise from these.

These presentations are given to leading and large companies
in Japan and foreign counties in order to rapidly develop
prominent technological seeds at major universities andresearch institutes in Japan into educational-industrial joint
studies or technology transfers. A total of 18 universities andinstitutes presented the latest achievements in healthcare/drug discovery, foods, bioreﬁnery, biomass, model organisms,
etc.

7

3

Open Innovation through Networking

Organizer's Seminar

Life Innovation Summit
Construction and Global Promotion of Japan as
an Innovative Problem-Solving Country
Coordinator: Tatsumi Yamazaki
Chairman of the Steering Committee, Japan Bioindustry Association

Based on the title above, Mr. Yamazaki invited ﬁve panelists to discuss
the following subjects.

Tatsumi Yamazaki

Yoichiro Matsumoto

Naoki Okamura

Ryoji Chubachi

Masafumi Nogimori

Osamu Nagayama

Speakers & Panelists
1）Yoichiro Matsumoto Secretary General, Cabinet Secretariat Oﬃce ofMedical Innovation, Government of Japan

Mr. Matsumoto explained the health innovation and national growth,and the role of The Oﬃce of Medical Innovation.

2）Naoki Okamura Executive Member, Council for Science andTechnology Policy

Mr. Okamura explained the role of the system of three strategy
committees in the creation of action plans.

Mr. Nogimori explained the importance of collaboration andalliances involving industry, government, and academia at all stages,
from basic research to clinical applications, in the aim toward New
Medical Innovations.

3）Ryoji Chubachi Co-Chairman, Committee on Industrial Technology,
Keidanren（Japan Business Federation)

Mr. Chubachi explained the factors which inhibit the creation of
innovation in Japan

5）Osamu Nagayama President, Japan Bioindustry Association
Mr. Nagayama explained the importance of construction and global
promotion in overcoming issues in Japanese medical care.

4）Masafumi Nogimori Vice President, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Association

Green Innovation
SummitSpeakers & Panelists

Coordinator: Hideaki Yukawa（Director, Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth（RITE））

1）Tamotsu Saito President & CEO, IHI Corporation
IHI Programs for Using Technology to Resolve Global Environmental
Problems2）Kozaburo Nakaseko Senior Executive Oﬃcer, Sumitomo RubberThis session was conducted by Mr. Yukawa and the following four
panelists, who presented a broad range of measures aimed at
resolving resource, environmental, and energy issues that haveswelled to a global scale.

Tire Material Development Technologies for Contributing to a
Sustainable Society
3）Michio Shinohara General Manager, Environment and Safety Planning

Industries, Ltd.

Office, Business Planning Division,
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Achieving the "Joy of Free
Movement" and an "Affluent
and Sustainable Society"4）Ching-Gang Charles Peng

Hideaki Yukawa

Tamotsu Saito Kozaburo Nakaseko

Cluster Summit
Moderator: Tsuneaki Sakata
Visiting Professor, Osaka University Cybermedia
CenterAt this summit, representatives of four clusters
reported on their operating strategies and theunique strengths of their individual clusters.
Tsuneaki Sakata

Michio Shinohara Ching-Gang Charles Peng

Associate Director, R&D ‒ Safety,
Regulatory, Technical Relations,and Sustainability, P&G Japan K.K.

P&G Sustainability Overview

Speakers & Panelists
1）The Munich Biotech Cluster m4
Horst Domdey CEO, BioM Biotech Cluster Development GmbH
2）Bio Clusters - Strategic Development and Scientiﬁ Focus
James Cameron Sales Director, Scottish Development International,
Edinburgh BioQuarter3）Biomedical Sciences in Singapore - A Springboard into Asia
and Beyond
Kevin Lai Director, Biomedical Sciences Group, Singapore Economic
Development Board

4）Biotechnology in North Carolina

Bill Bullock Vice President, Bioscience Industrial Development, North
Carolina Biotechnology Center

5）Current Status and Opportunity for Health-Bio Cluster
in Okinawa
Daiya Miyazato

Horst Domdey

8James Cameron

Kevin Lai

Bill Bullock

Special Associate Professor,
Integrated Innovation Centerfor Community, University of
Daiya Miyazato the Ryukyus

Activity Report 2013

Functional Food Summit

Speakers & Panelists

Coordinator: Toshio Shimizu
Professor, Faculty of Health and Human Life, Nagoya Bunri University

1）Albert Flynn Chairman, EFSA Health Claims Evaluation

Mr. Shimizu explained the classiﬁcation of functional food products in Japan, andthe perspectives of the Codex, EU, US, and Chinese systems.

Mr. Flynn explained the role of the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) in regard to EU regulations on healthclaims, and examples of EFSA health claims.
2）Reiko Yonekura Health inspector, Food Labeling

Committe

Division, Consumer Aﬀairs Agency

Ms. Yonekura focused on organizing the pointsof argument from the Health Food Investigative
Commission regarding functional claims in Japan.
3）Ken-ichi Kosuna President, Hokkaido Associationfor Bio-BusinessToshio Shimizu

Albert Flynn

Reiko Yonekura

Ken-ichi Kosuna

Mr. Kosuna explained the history and future ofhealth food development in Hokkaido.

Accomplishments

Support for bio-venturecompanies and bio-clusters

Through networking with nationwide bio groups and clusters, JBA actively promotes interaction amongindustry, academia, and government to support and foster bio-venture companies and form bio-clusters.
Metropolitan
Bio Network

Japanese Regional
Clusters Forum

Support foroverseas expansionof bio-ventures

In 2013, JBA launched the Japanese Regional Clusters Forumto promote communication and collaboration among
bioclusters carrying out advanced initiatives across thecountry, as well as to promote the industrialization of localbased research outcomes and business seeds. Functioning as
the hub for bioclusters through this conference, JBA aims toconstruct a space for collaboration at the national level while
coordinating policy measures among cooperating industrial,academic, and government bodies, and also aims to create
networks among bioclusters and invigorate bio-ventures
through collaboration.
Shikoku Industry& Technology
Promotion Center

BioVenture
Directory

Hokkaido Bio-Industry
Association
Northern Advancement
Center for Science &Technology
Hokkaido Associationfor Bio-business

Foundation for Biomedical
Research and Innovation

Senri Life Science
Foundation
Kumamoto Industrial
Support Foundation

Tohoku Area Bio-industry
Promotion Association

Kihara Memorial Yokohama
Foundation for The Advancementof Life Sciences

KurumeResearch Park
Okinawa Industry
Promotion Public
Corporation

Statistical data on
venture business

The Shizuoka Organization for
Creation of Industries Pharma
Valley Center（Shizuoka）

Kinki Bio-Industry
Development Organization

Japanese Regional Clusters Forum（supported by Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association）
JBA held the Japanese Regional Cluster Forum to promoteindustrialization of research results and business seeds fromregions that are taking a progressive approach nationwide.
【Date】October 11, 2012

【Participants】62 Bio-cluster-related persons participatedfrom throughout Japan【Subject】The New Wave of Open Innovation: Enhancing
Collaboration to Promote Alliances93Open Innovation through Networking

Support for overseas expansionof bio-venture businessand cooperation with JETROThe exchange of opinions and opportunities for interaction
with worldwide bio-clusters can be an effective means to
break through the bio-venture business environment thattends to be occluded. Therefore, by endeavoring to promote
cooperation with overseas major bio-clusters, JBA supports
the matching of bio-venture companies and foreign
corporations. Furthermore, in order to multilaterally andeﬀectively lead the activities to results, JBA has promoted
further cooperation through its activities with JETRO. JBA
has a close relationship with JETRO and supports bioventure companies by participating in Bio-Europe Spring,etc. The tie-up of activity at JETRO BIOLINK, held concurrently
with BioJapan, is another example of the establishment of acomplementary relationship through mutual activities.

Support
Corporate proﬁles
Preparation
supportSupport for
matching

Support fordomestic
and overseas
expansion

Support for
exhibitions

Publicity

Follow-up

Metropolitan Bio Network activity
The Greater Kanto region is Japan's nexus for bio-relatedindustries, with over half of the nation's bio-venturefirms as well as research institutions and universities
possessing advanced technologies. As a component
in industrial cluster planning, and with the aims ofpromoting collaboration among players in diverse ﬁelds
and constructing rich personal networks to contribute to
the development of bio-ventures, JBA has been active as
the secretariat of Metropolitan Bio Network Japan, which
was launched in July 2002. At present, JBA is focusing ontechnology transfer, encouraging expansion overseas,and promoting alliances with major companies and bioventures. It is undertaking activities such as seminars to
support alliances and to resolve issues faced by venturecompanies, and is advancing policy measures to foster
research and development and commercialization inareas including drug discovery.

Preparation of a Bio-venture Directory
In conjunction with open innovation, JBA is collaboratingwith bio organizations nationwide to aggregate andrelease basic information online concerning the nation's
increasingly-watched bio-ventures, with the aim ofaccelerating alliances among clusters and companies inJapan and overseas.

Preparation of directories andstatistical data on bio-venture business■ In January 2012, JBA conducted a questionnaire surveyof bio-ventures across Japan and performed classiﬁcationand statistical analysis of these according to prefecture
and category. The results were gathered in the 2012
Survey of Bio-venture Statistics and Trends.
■ The number of bio-ventures was 538, continuinga downward trend from the previous year. While 54
ventures were newly identiﬁed during the year (including
new identification of companies established in 2011or earlier), 13 ventures were subject to dissolution or
merger, and 37 ventures were newly excluded from thebio-venture category under the survey's definitions,leaving an overall increase of 4 companies.
■ Trends surrounding bio-ventures include joint researchand licensing agreements between bio-ventures andlarge and medium-sized enterprises, as well as rapid
growth in tie-ups among bio-ventures from 2007 and theappearance of high-monetary-value agreements.
■ JBA is also continuing joint research with Hitotsubashi
University, leading to the release of the working paper"Issues in the Growth of Bio-ventures: Taking Note of
Scientific Origins" (January 2013) on the Hitotsubashi
University Institute of Innovation Research website.
Number ofcompanies

10

Number of bio-venture companies

4

actionInternational Network

Activity Report 2013

JBA provides international information on biotechnology and bioindustry in cooperation
with member companies, universities and the government.

International activities of JBA include:( i ) Introduction / transmission of overseas biorelated information and events to members(ii ) Transmission of information on Japanese
bioindustry(iii) Transmission of opinions on international issues
as a Japanese bio-organization(iv) Interaction with overseas bio-organizations
through participation in international bio-events( v ) Requesting participation in BioJapan and,taking into consideration the wishes of member
companies, carrying out operations that are
diﬃcult for a single individual or corporation toaccomplish

Member companies/Academia
Venture members
Public members（METI, JETRO）
Domestic organizations（JPMA, STAFF）

Information
services
Policies,
investment environment,
research anddevelopment activities

Building a network
International cooperation
Oﬀer/introduction of contacts forinquirySupport for publicity
Consulting
Overseas bio-organizations
Foreign companies, OECD
Foreign embassies in Japan

Acceptance of missions
Holding seminars
Alliance

Creation of international network

Accomplishments■ DECHEMA（since 2010）■ KoreaBio（since 2010）■ Medical and Pharmaceutical Commercial Association

Overseas bio-organizations
having agreements with JBA（since 2012）（since2004）■ BIO（U.S.）（since 2012）■ Medicon Valley Alliance（Denmark/Sweden）■ Swiss Biotech Association（since 2005）■ Shanghai Biopharmaceutics Industries Association（since 2005） ■ Taiwan Bio Industry Organization（Taiwan）（since 2012）■ Russian Biotechnology Society（since 2009）■ SwedenBIO（since 2013）■ CLIB2021（Bioclusters of the Rhein Region）■ AusBiotech（since 2013）/Cluster Bioindustrielle Biotechnologie（since 2009）

Medicon Valley Alliance

Swiss Biotech Association

Russian Biotechnology Society

SwedenBIO

Biotechnology Industry Organization

KoreaBIO

Shanghai Biopharmaceutics
Industries Association

DECHEMA

CLIB2021

Medical and PharmaceuticalCommercial Association, AllChina Federation of Industry
and Commerce

Taiwan Bio
Industry
Organization

AusBiotech

114International Network

JBA events and activities for open innovation in 2012
■ Dispatch of bioindustry investigative team to Shanghai（Shanghai, May 8-11）■ Participation in the 2nd Sympojium of WFCC-MIRCEN（Beijing, June 7-8）
■ Participation in Global Bio & Medical Forum 2012
（Seoul, June 13-14）■ Participation in BIO International Convention 2012
（Boston, June 18-22）■ Participation in International Union of Biological Science（Suzhou, July 5-9）

■ Participation in the 11th Bio Business Asia Conference,
The 2012 Bio Taiwan（July 24-27）■ Participation in BIO-Europe 2012, MEDICA（Hamburg, November 11-17）■ Participation in Biotech Showcase 2013
（San Francisco, January. 5-11）■ Visit to Estonia and participation in CEBR（February 17-22）■ Visit to Taiwan（with JPMA）（March 4-6）
■ Participation in BIO-Europe Spring 2013（Barcelona）andvisit to the Alsace BioValley（France, March 10-15）

Cooperation in OECD activities
The Working Party on Biotechnology（WPB）under theCommittee for Scientific and Technological Policy of
the OECD（Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development）examines policy issues spanningresearch and development to industrialization, throughindustrialization through life science and biotechnology
applied to a wide range of areas from medical care andpharmaceutical products to industry, environment, energy,

agriculture and food.
JBA has participated in WPBʼs regular meetings and related
conferences to support the government, and provides thestatus of discussions on a wide range of policy issues to its
members. Recently, JBA helped disseminate its provisionaltranslation of “OECD Guidelines on Human Biobanks andGenetic Research Databases” which was adopted as anOECD council recommendation（March 2010）.

Collection/provision of overseas bio-information
Collection and provision of overseas bioinformation in cooperation with embassies,
regional clusters, etc.
JBA exchanges information with embassies, bioorganizations and regional clusters in Western and Asian
countries. JBA provides information about overseas
policies, the investment environment, industrial trends,
and research and development to its members throughmeans including its journal B&I

29 members representing foreign agencies（embassies, regions, state governments, etc.）
Ireland, United States, England, Estonia,
Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland,
Sweden, Spain, Chile, Denmark, Germany, France,
Malaysia, Georgia（ US）, North Carolina（ US）,
Pennsylvania（US）, Missouri（US）, Queensland（Australia）, Victoria（Australia）, Alberta（Canada）,
Ontario（ Canada）, Quebec（ Canada）, British
Columbia（Canada）, Scotland, Flanders（Belgium）,
Wallonia（ Belgium）, Medicon Valley Alliance（Denmark/Sweden）

12

Transmission of overseas p
policies and industrial trends
through the journal B&I

5actionEstablishing the Infrastructureof Bioindustry

Activity Report 2013

JBA is addressing the improvement of infrastructure for biotechnology and industrial development
in cooperation with member companies, universities and government.

With regard to the enactment process
and management of various laws andregulations on bioindustry in the ﬁelds ofCorporate members
Venture members
Academia

Information services
Measures
Contact for inquiries
Supportfood and environment, JBA collects andprovides related information, and also
holds explanatory meetings to collect and（CBD, ABS, GMO, supplement,
pharmaceutical）

submit opinions from the industry.
In addition, JBA establishes infrastructure
for the development of bioindustry, such assupport for human resource development

Human resource
development
Encouraging research
activities

Researchcooperationin developing countries through JICA,
promotion of national research projects
through the management of research
associations, the fostering of promising
young human resources, and the awarding

Information on laws andregulations on intellectual
property; standardization;international treaties;
access to foreign genetic
resources

Research Association of
Molecular Dynamics for
Antibody Drug Development

Information

Business cooperation

Organization for
Economic Cooperation
and Development（OECD）
Japan International
Cooperation Agency（JICA）
Japan External Trade
Organization（JETRO）

of research prizes.

Ⅰ

Science/technology andlaws/regulations
JBA hosted an overview from the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry on the Act on the Conservationand Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity throughRegulations on the Use of Living Modified Organisms(the Cartagena Act), as well as relevant points ofnote in situations such as industrial Type 2 use andan explanation of GILSP notification revisions. JBA
also hosted a briefing by the National Institute ofTechnology and Evaluation on application proceduresfor conﬁrmation of approvals by competent ministries.
The briefings were made easy to understand throughspecific examples of the latter applications andapprovals, and incorporated Q&A and post-briefing
individual consultations.
■ Submission of written opinions concerning implementation of the Cartagena Act to "The Voice of Nation"of the Cabinet Oﬃce
Acting upon requests from members, JBA submitted
opinions and a petition to "The Voice of Nation" of the
Cabinet Oﬃce, requesting simpler and speedier applications
for conﬁrmation of dispersal prevention measures in Type 2
use under the Cartagena Act.

■ Seminar on biosecurity" Addressing dual-use issues
in bio research" seminar held
■ Advanced biotechnology regulation and policy"Current State of the Technological Development of New
Plant Breeding Techniques, and Issues in their Industrial
Use" seminar held
JBA hosted a seminar by front-line researchers in thisarea of technology, which is attracting attention as afast and eﬃcient new plant breeding method that does
not leave traces of genetic manipulation in succeeding
generations. Research trends, safe handling of thetechnology, and ideals for regulation were discussed at
the seminar. JBA also launched a series of articles in its
in-house publication B&I , explaining new plant breeding
technologies.
■ JBA held a “Seminar on the Biological Weapons Convention（BWC）”
Before the international congress of Biological Weapons
Convention（WBC）, JBA held related seminars toconsolidate the collective opinions of members for the
induction of a veriﬁcation system, and to enlighten andcollect opinions of the participants.
1）“Present state around the Biological Weapons
Convention and its relation with industry”（May 26, 2011）2）Seminar on “The Security Export Control from theView of Biosecurity “（August 4, 2011）13

5

Establishing the Infrastructureof Bioindustry

3）“Risk management of dual use technology in the
research of life science”■ Regulation and policy for advanced biotechnology
1）Seminar on “The Present State of Advanced Bio-

Research and Technology Development, and their
Political Issues”（September 22, 2011）2）Seminar on “The Technology Development in Environmental Microbe Use and its Control and Issues”（October25, 2011）

Ⅱ1）The current state and future of the bioreﬁnery industry
2）The popularization and development of bioplastics
3）The current state of and outlook for functional foodsystems
4）Ever-evolving antibody pharmaceuticals

Science communication■ Publication of "A Future Society Pioneered throughthe Contributions of Bio"
JBA launched this series in its in-house publication B&I
to reveal a multi-faceted vision (covering science andtechnology, lifestyles, and bioindustry development
trends) for future society achieved through bio.

Ⅲ

Biological resources
and measures■ Support for international negotiations of CBD and ABS
JBA has continuously supported the government as amember of delegations in international negotiations
such as the Conference of the Parties to the Convention
on Biological Diversity（CBD）and the meetings ofworking groups on access to genetic resources
and benefit sharing（ABS）in order to support the
government.

■ Communication of bio risks"Corporate and media communication and issues inthe event of incidents or risk" seminar（using bio in casestudies）（Nov. 8, 2012）2005 for Japanʼs overseas genetic resource users. And
based on the Nagoya Protocol of CBD, 2nd edition of theguidelines（in Japanese）was issued in March 2012. JBA
has held open seminars in major cities throughout Japanon a continuous basis to enhance public awareness andunderstanding of CBD-ABS.
■ Summary of the bioindustry's requests concerning
domestic implementation of the Nagoya Protocol
JBA collected the requests of industry with regard to
implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, and submitted
these to the METI Bio-Industry Division in 2012.

■ Help desk for inquiries about ABS
JBA set up a help desk in April 2005 for consultation
on issues and problems related to access to foreign
resources.
Consultations are conducted in a confidential mannerand the number of consultations conducted as of theend of FY2012 exceeded 440.
■ 2012 Update of guidelines on access to genetic
resources for users, based on the Nagoya Protocol
Based on the CBD and the principles of the Bonn
Guidelines, JBA published METI-JBA guidelines in March

ⅣIntellectual property
Toward the advancement of open innovation based on
industry/academic collaboration and the promotion ofresearch and development in bioindustry, JBA operates
through working groups（WGs）to conduct its activities

14

concerning research and countermeasures for thestrengthening of intellectual assets and intellectual
property rights in the bio domain.
1）Fiscal 2011 Intellectual property committee brieﬁng2）"Seminar on Patent Practice in the Bio and Life
Sciences Domain and U.S. Patent Law Reform"3）"Seminar on the Handling of Intellectual Property at
The University of Tokyo"

Activity Report 2013

Ⅴ

Human resource
development
JBA Bio-Leaders Course 2012
A three-day intensive biotech venture leadership course
for graduate students and young researchers in member
companies across the country was held from Aug. 29, 2012.

Group discussion on assigned subjects

Completion Certiﬁcate

Ⅵ

Award and grants
JBA promotes scientific researchthat contributes to the growth anddevelopment of bioindustry byoﬀering award and grants.

Fermentation and Metabolism
Research Grant in 2012
“Useful lipid production through molecular breeding ofoleaginous fungus Mortierella alpina ”

JBA Award in 2012
“Studies on microbial metabolism andtheir application to industrial production”
Michihiko Kobayashi
Professor, The University of Tsukuba

Prof. Michihiko Kobayashi

The Grant for Research on Chemical andBiological Materials in 2012“I
“Integrationi of semiconductor and biotechnology using the
intrinsically disordered protein Si-tag as an interface”
Takeshi Ikeda Assistant Professor, Hiroshima University

Akinori Ando Assistant Professor, Kyoto University“Implantable drug release system for treating retinal disorders”“Development and experimental veriﬁcation of an in silico
platform for metabolic ﬂux prediction”

Hirokazu Kaji Associate Professor, Tohoku University

Chikara Furusawa Team Leader, RIKEN“Staphylococcus aureus sortase A mutants-mediated protein
ligation in the cytoplasm”“Analysis of genes responsible for high fermentation abilityof sake yeast”
Daisuke Watanabe Researcher, National Research Institute of

Hidehiko Hirakawa Assistant Professor, The University of Tokyo

Brewing

Hiromichi Minami Assistant Professor, Ishikawa Prefectural University“A bacterial platform for fermentative production of plant
alkaloids and novel bioactive compounds”

15

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Japan Bioindustry Association
Grande bldg. 8F
2-26-9 Hatchobori Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0032, Japan
TEL+81-3-5541-2731 FAX+81-3-5541-2737
URL: http://www.jba.or.jp/