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Research Studio’s mission to scale Japanese innovation globally is stronger than ever. Scientist-entrepreneurs from our Global Entrepreneur Training (GET) program, 2025 edition, landed in the US last month.
Through our partnership with the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur (IGE) at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), our entrepreneurs engaged with several pitching opportunities and exclusive networking sessions with potential partners. They also received end-to-end support through all stages of the US market entry, including market research, FDA regulatory pathways, and fundraising advice.

Day 1: Adapting narratives

The US drug development and new medical devices industry requires a total mindset shift. On day one, we explored what it takes to move from discovery into clinical assets and scaling manufacturing, to managing risk, timelines, partnerships, and execution.
Our entrepreneurs reframed their pitch decks and set specific goals for their US market entry strategies, in collaboration with local experts and IGE instructors.

Day 2: Fundraising advice & corporate partners

On this day, our entrepreneurs got firsthand information of the market size for their products and similar initiatives being developed in the US so they could focus on building competitive advantage aimed at securing VC investment. They also got a comprehensive analysis of the decision-making model used by US investors.
Participants also met with Key Opinion Leaders from the global pharma industry and got an inside view into how major pharmaceutical companies evaluate early-stage startups.

Day 3: Navigating the US healthcare “Maze” & FDA regulatory pathways

To suceed in the US market, our entrepreneurs learned about the US hospitals economic incentives and insurance payment systems so they can refine their strategies to align their innovations with existing coverage frameworks from day one.
The group also received expert advice on obtaining FDA approval and conducting clinical trials in preparation for entering the US market, as well as strategic decisions regarding product development.

The day finished with networking sessions.

Day 4: US clinical validation

Clinical trials represent a critical milestone for medical startups and one of the strongest indicators of investment readiness. Advancing into this phase signals a transition from early-stage validation toward the longer process of drug development, where regulatory pathways, efficacy, and scalability come into focus. For investors, it shifts the conversation from “if” it works to “how fast” it can be implemented.
The program facilitated meetings with representatives from the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute and explored potential collaborations.
The day was also complemented with networking sessions, reinforcing connections to support clinical advancement and long-term business development.

Day 5: Launchpad

On the final day, teams had several pitching opportunities and received valuable feedback from investors. Every team concluded the program with a concrete US expansion roadmap.
Moving forward, IGE instructors will provide follow-up support via online post-mentoring sessions. Additionally, IGE confirmed that they will facilitate strategic introductions within University of California – San Diego network.

Click here for the Japanese version.

【Secretariat】
Translational Research Promotion Center
Tsukuba Clinical Research Development Organization (T-CReDO)
E-mail：TR_info@md.tsukuba.ac.jp