The Japanese government is aware of the challenges in securing funds for drug development within Japan’s biopharmaceutical startup ecosystem, especially compared to Europe and the United States. To strengthen this ecosystem, the government has allocated JPY 350 billion (approximately USD 2.3 billion) to support startups. The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), which is a funding agency somewhat equivalent to the National Institutes of Health in the United States, has established a program to support biopharmaceutical startups involved in developing patentable pharmaceuticals and regenerative medicine products and therapeutics. AMED registers venture capital firms (VCs) to provide hands-on support and funding to these startups. Approved startups supported by a registered VC may receive grants up to double the amount the VC invests, potentially allowing startups to raise significant nondilutive funds.
Japan’s AMED Offers ‘Double Match Up’ Grants for Pharma Startups: Considerations for Investors and Companies
