From 6 to 10 October 2025, BioM showcased the Bavarian biotech cluster in Japan - first at the EU-Japan Biotech & Pharma Partnering Conference in Osaka, then at BIO-Japan in Yokohama. With strong partnering, the presence of six companies at the Bavarian joint booth, and high visibility across numerous sessions, events, and panels, Bavaria demonstrated networking at the highest level.
The <link https: www.b2match.com e bio-pharma-osaka-2025 components kuywp9oipplm>EU-Japan Biotech & Pharma Partnering Conference in Osaka on 6 October was the ideal kick-off in the heart of Japan’s pharma industry - followed on 7 October by site visits to Nakanoshima Qross (international hub for future medical care) und KENTO (Northern Osaka Health and Biomedical Innovation Town) the day after. The conference was organized by Osaka Bio Headquarters - an MoU partner of BioM - and the EU-Japan Centre with the goal of connecting Japanese and European companies and organizations. As a co-initiator of the conference, BioM is pleased with the strong turnout: 168 European players (Germany with 34 as the second-largest national contingent).
Immediately afterward, from 8–10 October 2025, BioM participated in BIO-Japan in Yokohama - Japan’s central partnering platform featuring an exhibition, approximately 200 expert talks, and an efficient 1-to-1 partnering system. The organizer, the Japan Bioindustry Association, reported the largest edition to date, underscoring Japan’s momentum. A highlight for Bavarian visibility was the joint Bavarian booth, organized by Bayern International and supported by BioM, together with six companies from Bavaria:
- Ascenion GmbH – Technology transfer specialist focused on life sciences, facilitating licenses, IP, and R&D collaboration.
- Granzer Regulatory Consulting & Services – Strategic consulting and operational support for global drug approvals.
- Iris Biotech GmbH – Supplier of specialty chemicals for peptide and conjugate chemistry as well as drug delivery.
- PAN-Biotech GmbH – Manufacturer of cell culture media, reagents, and tailored solutions for cell research and bioproduction.
- IGES Institut GmbH – Consultancy for health economics, market access, HTA, and reimbursement strategies in Europe.
- PATERIS Patentanwälte PartmbB – Patent law firm focused on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology.
Showcasing Bavaria as Europe’s leading life sciences location
BioM contributed to numerous events, sessions, and panels to position Bavaria as an attractive location and life sciences hub: presentations at the EU-Japan Partnering Conference reception, the Global Life Science Session the day before BIO-Japan (organized by LINK-J), the Biocluster Summit at BioJapan 2025, and as a speaker in “Support for a startup in the very early phase,” organized by iCONM together with BioLabs, an MoU partner of BioM. For additional visibility and networking, BioM, the Bavarian Representation, Bayern International, and Invest in Bavaria jointly hosted a Bavarian Happy Hour, which brought together numerous guests from Japan and Bavaria.
Excellence in immunology
A particular highlight was the (remote) Commemorative Lecture honoring Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi, who - together with Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell - received the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work on peripheral immune tolerance, a milestone highly relevant to autoimmune disease, transplantation, and oncology. The Nobel Prize was announced on the evening of the EU-Japan conference, perfectly timed and aligned with the trip’s focus.
Two events, maximum reach in the Japanese biopharma market
Japan is the second-largest pharmaceutical market in the world. Taken together, the EU-Japan Partnering Conference and BIO-Japan offer highly efficient access to pharma, biotech, medtech, and digital health. Over the course of a single week, these two events deliver unparalleled opportunities to network with Japan’s pharma and life sciences sectors. The combination of focused 1:1 matchmaking and strong on-site presence provides direct access to key stakeholders, new collaborations, and qualified leads.
BioM will continue to support the Bavarian biotech landscape in 2026, fostering growth through targeted networking and support services. See our overview of upcoming trade fair participations.