Calendar of International Trade Programs and Events

Sector: Life Sciences

Market Region: Asia and Australasia

Date: June 23, 2025 to June 26, 2025

The Government of Ontario is offering an opportunity for Ontario-based businesses to participate in the Osaka Biotech & Pharma Networking Event 2025 with Business to Business Match-Making Program with Osaka based Life Sciences companies. The Program is hosted by the Osaka Prefectural Government and JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) in Japan and will be delivered in-person from June 23 to 26, 2025, to coincide with the Osaka Expo 2025. One Ontario company will be selected by the Osaka Prefectural Government to participate in the event.

Japan has a population of 125 million people (2021) with approximately three out of ten now over age 65, and one out of ten over 80. In super-aging Japan, the Life Sciences market is booming and provides opportunities to global players to fill the unmet medical needs in Japan. The Japanese market for new and patented pharmaceuticals is expected to reach 11 trillion yen by 2027, making it the second largest in the world after the United States. Sales of current patented medications are set to grow by 6.5 to 7.5 percent annually in the half-decade between 2024 and 2027. At the same time, between 1.1 and 1.2 trillion yen of new drugs are expected to reach the market. The two largest Japanese drug companies, Takeda and Astellas, have made substantial foreign acquisitions in recent years. Japan also has strong IP protection for life sciences industry with a score of 90%, as compared to 95% in the US. Japan has the 3rd largest economy in the world, with the highest spending on R&D as a percentage of GDP (3.59% in 2020) among G7 countries. Japan is Canada’s 4th largest trading partner (2nd largest in Asia, after China) and is the 2nd largest consumer market in the world with 4 of 5 top quality of life cities in Asia.  This In-Market Buyer Program aims to arrange in-person business-to-business meetings and site visit for Ontario companies (small and medium-sized and start-ups) with potential buyers from Osaka, Japan, and also provide the participants with the perspectives of business opportunities related to life science business markets in Japan. We are collaborating with Ontario's Trade and Investment Office in Tokyo and also the Osaka Prefectural Government and JETRO.  As part of this opportunity, JETRO will cover airfare and accommodation expenses for the selected Ontario company. Program Outline:

• Main program will take place at Umeda Sky Building, Osaka from June 23-26, 2025 

• Airfare and accommodation will be paid for by JETRO

• June 23rd: Tour of life science related facilities (Nakanoshima Qross, etc.)

• June 24th: Osaka Biotech & Pharma Networking Event 2025

• June 25th: Pitch at Osaka Prefectural Government booth at Japan Health; Business meetings with Japanese companies at Japan Health (website: https://japanhealthonline.com/en/) at Intex Osaka (https://www.intex-osaka.com/en/access)

• June 26th: Osaka Healthcare Pavilion at the Osaka Expo 2025; Business meetings with Japanese companies at the Osaka Expo

• Details will be provided separately by the JETRO Toronto office

  
  For further information, please contact:
   

  Stephen Ip, Japan & Korea, Trade Programs Branch, MEDJCT 

  Tel: 1-437-339-1529

  Email: stephen.ip@ontario.ca

Register now