The Bavarian biotech cluster organization BioM Biotech Cluster Development GmbH (BioM), the City of Kawasaki, Japan, and the Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP) re-signed an expanded memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Munich today. The aim of the cooperation agreement is to promote economic exchange in the fields of health, biotechnology, and life sciences, as well as to intensify industry-industry and industry-academia cooperation between Kawasaki and the Bavarian biotechnology network.
The agreement focuses on the structured exchange of information on technologies and developments in industry and science, matchmaking and delegation formats, and the exchange of best practices in technology transfer and the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Prof. Ralf Huss, Managing Director of BioM, explains: “International networking is a key success factor for innovation in biotechnology. By resigning and expanding the Memorandum of Understanding, we are again strengthening cooperation between the Bavarian Biotechnology Network and one of Japan's most dynamic innovation hubs. Our common goal is to make it easier for companies and start-ups on both sides to access partners, markets, and expertise.”
The City of Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, is the initiator and sponsor of the KING SkyFront (Tonomachi) innovation hub. Located in the Keihin Industrial Zone, Kawasaki has developed into a dynamic metropolitan region and specifically promotes innovative activities, particularly in the field of biotechnology. KING SkyFront serves as an open innovation hub dedicated to addressing global challenges within the life sciences, environmental sciences, and social sciences, while facilitating international business opportunities.
Norihiko Fukuda, Mayor of Kawasaki City emphasizes: “With this renewal, we expect that the participation of KIIP, which is responsible for cluster management at KING SKYFRONT, will further enhance a wide range of initiatives aimed at building an innovation ecosystem, including support for startups, across both regions. We sincerely appreciate the continuation of our partnership and BioM’s contributions to date, and we look forward to further advancing our collaboration.”
The Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP) acts as the central organization for promoting industry in Kawasaki. KIIP supports local companies, promotes start-ups, strengthens cooperation between industry, science, and the public sector, and drives international networking. At the KING SkyFront site, KIIP is responsible for central facilities and operates, among other things, the iCONM / BioLabs research center, which was established with the support of the city of Kawasaki. KIIP plays an active role in the cluster network and in international cooperation with the aim of supporting life science start-ups in their global expansion.
Takeshi Suzuki, Chairperson of KIIP, explains: “The resigning and extension of the MoU with BioM is an important step toward further deepening the exchange between Kawasaki and Bavaria. We would particularly like to make it easier for life science start-ups to access international networks and support their global development.”
Dr. Hiroshi Atsumi, Director at iCONM with BioLabs, KIIP, adds: “Through close cooperation between KING SkyFront and the Bavarian Biotechnology Network, we are creating concrete points of contact for joint projects, technology transfer, and business collaborations in the field of life sciences.”
The partnership between BioM and the City of Kawasaki was first signed in November 2017 and updated in 2020 and 2023. With the renewed signing, the MoU is expanded to include the Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP). Ongoing exchanges between Kawasaki City, KIIP, and BioM in the field of innovation and life sciences, as well as further delegation and matchmaking formats, are planned for 2026.
An official delegation from Kawasaki traveled to Munich for the signing, consisting of Takeshi Suzuki, Chairperson, KIIP; Ryutaro Kurusu, Manager, Planning & Public Relations Division, KIIP; Hiroshi Atsumi, Director in iCONM with BioLabs, KIIP; and Miho Kiyokawa, Operations Associate in iCONM with BioLabs, KIIP.
With the renewed and expanded Memorandum of Understanding, the partners reaffirm their common goal of sustainably strengthening international cooperation in the fields of health, biotechnology, and life sciences and further expanding economic exchange between Kawasaki and Bavaria.