O-Nexus, Innovation Hub Connecting Kansai and the World, Officially Launches with 'O-Nexus: Osaka Life Science Nexus - THE SHOWCASE -'

CIC Japan (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Denise Medrenka) held the event 'O-Nexus: Osaka Life Science Nexus - THE SHOWCASE -' on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Osaka Life Science Nexus (hereinafter 'O-Nexus'), located within 'Nakanoshima Qross'—an international hub for future medicine in Nakanoshima, Osaka.

The event gathered participants from across the globe, including government officials, healthcare providers, universities, investors, startups, and large corporations—all key players in the life sciences sector. It served as a platform to widely announce the participation of global stakeholders and to communicate O-Nexus’s role as a physical bridge connecting Kansai with the world, generating new collaborations, business opportunities, and value creation.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Yoshiaki Sawa, Chairman of the General Foundation for the Promotion of Future Medicine, followed by a toast speech in English by Osaka City Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama.

Opening Remarks by Dr. Yoshiaki Sawa, Chairman, General Foundation for the Promotion of Future Medicine

"Thank you all for joining us today—I truly feel the immense expectations for O-Nexus. Two years since Nakanoshima Qross launched, this facility operated by CIC, supported by Nippon Life, truly represents the 'strongest combination.' I deeply believe in creating mechanisms for 'education,' 'startup incubation,' and ultimately 'funding'—and I hope we can realize these together, from a business-savvy and global perspective. I sincerely wish for a vibrant, joyful environment here where great businesses emerge and thrive."

Toast Speech by Osaka City Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama

"Osaka and the Kansai region have long been cities of innovation, thanks to our excellent business environment, rich culture, and convenient access to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Through the partnership between Nippon Life and CIC, we are taking a crucial step toward connecting Osaka with the world. I look forward with great anticipation to O-Nexus becoming a bridge for new ideas, new partnerships, and new breakthroughs that improve lives around the globe—and to seeing these take shape right here."

Session 1: 'Kansai’s Life Science Ecosystem Connected to the World'

This session featured speakers Dr. Shinobu Suzuki from Kyoto University’s Growth Strategy Headquarters, Mr. Haruhiko Koike from the Kobe Medical Industry Association (a public interest foundation), and Mr. Lei Liu from AstraZeneca K.K., moderated by Ayano Kajimi of CIC Catalyst APAC. The panel discussed co-creation opportunities among universities, research institutions, companies, and government, focusing on the theme 'Why Kansai?'—highlighting the region’s unique strengths and its future as a globally connected innovation hub.

(From left: Kajimi, Koike) (From left: Liu, Suzuki)

Dr. Shinobu Suzuki, Kyoto University Growth Strategy Headquarters

"Kansai boasts world-class fundamental research from institutions like Kyoto and Osaka Universities, a long history as a pharmaceutical hub, and the strength of clustered major corporations. In recent years, there has been growing momentum in collectively building an innovation ecosystem. As universities, we aim to strengthen the economic foundation to enhance research capabilities and work together with all of you to create a system that fully integrates universities into this ecosystem."

Mr. Lei Liu, AstraZeneca K.K.

"As Dr. Sawa mentioned, Kansai has always had strong academic seeds. Now, with the creation of physical spaces like this, people are gathering. I feel we are now entering a phase where capital begins to circulate and business models start to function smoothly. Our company is committed to advancing to the next stage."

Mr. Haruhiko Koike, Kobe Medical Industry Association

"We work closely every day with companies and startups in Kobe. In particular, we are deeply focused on 'fundraising' and will continue to support Japanese startups in achieving global growth through investment and assistance."

Session 2: 'Gateway to Global Innovation'

In the second half, Michelle O'Toole, President of CIC Campuses and Labs, and Timon Rupp, Managing Director of CIC Berlin, joined the stage for a talk session moderated by Shiino Koma, Global Partner at CIC Catalyst APAC. They discussed how O-Nexus connects with major global innovation cities and the opportunities this creates.

(From left: Rupp, O'Toole) (Koma)

Michelle O'Toole, President, Campuses and Labs at CIC

"CIC is not just a space provider—it is an entry point to innovation and the global ecosystem. In Philadelphia, our lab facility enables startups to extend their runway by providing research lab environments that allow them to conduct R&D with limited funds and lower risk. For example, startups using CIC’s lab infrastructure have extended their operational funding from 3 to 5 years, allowing them to focus on R&D. We lower barriers to entry and accelerate company growth. We encourage all O-Nexus resident companies to make the most of CIC."

Timon Rupp, Managing Director, CIC Berlin

"In Berlin, by building infrastructure and engaging government in regulatory development, we helped a three-person remote-control startup grow into a company achieving success in the U.S. What we value most is what appears to be random—but is actually intentionally designed—'positive collisions.' For instance, a project born from a chance meeting at an aerospace breakfast event evolved into a technology combining hydrogen drones with VR simulators, eventually leading to a pilot program at Yokohama Port in Japan. Through such chains of intentional serendipity, we will connect Berlin, O-Nexus, and Japan."

O-Nexus marks this event as a milestone for its official launch, accelerating innovation from Osaka to Japan and the world. As a 'gateway' to showcase Kansai’s strengths in life sciences to the global stage, O-Nexus will continue to foster community building through various programs and events.

O-Nexus Concept

Osaka Life Science Nexus by Nippon Life and CIC (O-Nexus) is a hub where technologies, services, and knowledge centered on life sciences converge to contribute to extending healthy lifespans and be implemented into society. Nakanoshima, Osaka, has a long history of medical innovation, beginning with Dr. Ogata Kōan, founder of Tekijuku in the late Edo period, who promoted Western medicine. Since modern times, it has played a key role in Japan’s rapid economic growth