21 July 2026

OIST and Keio University Forge Stronger Biomedical Innovation Ties in Tokyo

On June 15, 2026, the Center for Research and Incubation at Keio University (CRIK Shinanomachi) in Tokyo became a vibrant hub of scientific synergy. The OIST-Keio Biomedical Innovation Exchange Day brought together more than 100 clinicians, researchers, startup founders, venture capitalists, and pharmaceutical representatives. Their shared goal: to bridge the gap between basic research, clinical application, and market-ready medical solutions.

OIST-KEIO biomedical innovation exchange day 2026 featured

The event marks a significant milestone in the deepening alliance between OIST and Keio University, who formally signed a Scientific and Academic Cooperation Agreement in August 2022. It also represents an important achievement within their collaboration under Japan's J-PEAKS initiative, translating ongoing discussions and planning efforts into a concrete platform that connects researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners. By combining OIST’s rapid momentum in deep-tech startups with Keio’s historical excellence in clinical research, the two institutions are creating a powerful new pipeline for Japanese life science innovation.

Connecting Tokyo and Okinawa: A National Ecosystem

A central highlight of the day was a strategic dialogue between leadership from both universities, focusing on how institutional collaboration can drive societal impact.

"OIST and Keio have been actively engaged in collaborative interdisciplinary research, education, and technology transfer for several years now," noted Gil Granot-Mayer, Executive Vice President of OIST Innovation. "This event represents the next natural step—translating our shared academic trust into concrete commercial and clinical pathways."

Joining the discussion, Toshiharu Saiki, Keio University’s Vice-President for Research and Entrepreneurial Education and Support, emphasized the geographical synergy of the partnership. The leaders outlined a vision where OIST and Keio serve as vital hubs connecting Okinawa and Tokyo, creating a seamless national innovation ecosystem capable of competing on the global stage.

From Lab to Market: High-Density Networking

The day’s agenda was designed to foster immediate collaboration. Participants engaged in 3-minute pitches, where entrepreneurs and scientists delivered rapid-fire presentations showcasing early-stage seeds, ranging from novel therapeutic targets for neurological diseases to cutting-edge AI-aided surgical technologies; targeted 1-1 partnering sessions allowing VCs and industry leaders to sit down directly with inventors to discuss funding, licensing, and co-development; and poster sessions, an interactive forum where researchers and clinicians from both institutions analyzed ongoing projects in neuroscience, cardiovascular health, cancer, and aging.

The Power of the Network

For international startups accelerated through OIST’s ecosystem, the exchange day provided invaluable, direct entry into Tokyo’s clinical networks.

Po Chen, CEO of CancerFree AI and an alumnus of the OIST Innovation Accelerator program, shared his experience as a participant. "It’s great to be a part of the OIST network. Without it, I wouldn’t know about this event or be able to connect with so many people relevant to my business," Chen said. "As the only Taiwanese entrepreneur in the room today, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to bridge these ecosystems."

As the event concluded, the sentiment among attendees was clear: the OIST-Keio partnership is no longer just an academic agreement on paper—it is an active, cross-regional engine driving the future of biomedical innovation in Japan. Both institutions look forward to building on this momentum with future joint workshops, expanded startup support, continued collaborative research, and new opportunities through their ongoing cooperation under J-PEAKS, further strengthening pathways from research excellence to societal impact.