Osaka's Nakanoshima Cross re-selected for national drug discovery hub, targets Boston-style growth

The Osaka-based Future Medical Promotion Organization announced on October 2 that its Nakanoshima Cross facility has been re-selected for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's drug discovery cluster campus development project for fiscal years 2026-2027. The project supports startups in drug discovery and regenerative medicine, helping them expand overseas. Last fiscal year, the organization supported 22 startups, guided 9 to international markets, and facilitated over 5 billion yen in fundraising. This year, it will leverage BioEurope, Europe's largest business matching event, to connect with Western life science clusters and investors. Chairman Sawa cited Boston as a model, expressing hope that Nakanoshima becomes a similar global hub. The organization also unveiled a new "Longevity Medicine" initiative targeting "healthy life to 100 years," aiming to transform Japan's longevity into industrial opportunities beyond medical fields, including food and lifestyle sectors.