Press release -
Osaka Prefecture “NQ Global Startup Gateway” Initiative “Nakanoshima Qross Innovation Challenge” to Be Held on May 12 — 16 Life Science Startups Aiming for Global Expansion to Convene; 3 Companies to Be Selected for Next Phase —
Osaka Prefectural Government will host the “Nakanoshima Qross Innovation Challenge” on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Nakanoshima Qross as part of the “NQ Global Startup Gateway” (Nakanoshima Qross Global Startup Creation and Hub Formation Project) (*1).
This event is a selective pitch competition in which 16 promising startups in the life sciences field, aiming for global expansion, will present the outcomes of an approximately six-month acceleration program. Through the pitch selection process, three companies will be chosen to advance to the next phase (Phase 2). The selected companies will be provided with opportunities including executive mentoring, participation in a UK immersion program (*2) that includes connections to the UK ecosystem, and access to incubation facilities (O-Nexus) operated by CIC within Nakanoshima Qross.
In addition, networking opportunities with corporations, investors, and support organizations will be arranged to promote the creation of new collaborations and partnerships.
Event Overview
- Date & Time: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 13:00–20:00 (including networking)
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Venue: Nakanoshima Qross 2F Qrossover Lounge Yume
(4-3-51 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka) - Target Participants: Individuals involved in medical and healthcare startups and their support ecosystem
- Language: English (simultaneous interpretation available)
- Admission: Free of charge
- How to Participate: Please apply via the official event page or the webinar registration page
- Organizer: Osaka Prefectural Government
- Co-organizer: Future Medical Research and Innovation Organization
- Supporter: British Consulate-General
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Operating Entity: NQ Global Startup Gateway Consortium (*3)
- Official Event Page:https://nqha-250512innovation-challenge.peatix.com
- Webinar Registration Page:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qWGiVnrlToOB9qHkHrsubQ
Program (Tentative)
- 13:00 Opening
- 13:10 Keynote Session
- Hiroshi Ishiguro — Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University; CEO, AVITA Inc.; Visiting Director, ATR Hiroshi Ishiguro Special Research Institute; Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Theme Project Producer
- Yoshiki Sawa — Chairman, Organization of Future Medicine
- 13:50 Talk Session: “Expanding Startup Opportunities from the UK”
- Buzz Palmer — CEO, MedTech Actuator
- Yu Moriguchi — Assistant to the Chairman, Organization of Future Medicine
- and others
- 14:30 Startup Pitch
- 17:20 O-Nexus Introduction & Tour
- 18:00 Networking Reception
Selected Startups (16 Companies)
| No | Company | Web |
| 1 | Cuorips Inc. | https://cuorips.co.jp/en/ |
| 2 | LinqMed Inc. | https://linqmed.net/ |
| 3 | xFOREST Therapeutics Co., Ltd. | https://www.xforestx.com/en |
| 4 | Physiologas Technologies Inc. | https://physiologas.co.jp/en-index.html |
| 5 | Quadlytics Inc. | https://www.quadlytics.com/english/ |
| 6 | Liid Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | https://liidpharma.co.jp/top-eng/ |
| 7 | PaMeLa Inc. | https://pain-ml.com/en/ |
| 8 | Immunosens Co., Ltd. | https://immunosens.com/en/ |
| 9 | ayumo Inc. | https://ayumo.ai/en/ |
| 10 | NeoCure Inc. | https://neocure.jp/en/ |
| 11 | Arktus Therapeutics Co., Ltd. | https://arktustx.com/en |
| 12 | AT CO., LTD. | https://kekkan-bijin.jp/en/ |
| 13 | GramEye Inc. | https://grameye.com/en |
| 14 | CellFold, Inc. | https://www.cellfold.jp/en |
| 15 | SONoALS, Inc. | https://www.sonoals.com/en |
| 16 | nonat Inc. | https://nonat.co.jp/en/ |
■ Support by the British Consulate-General
This event is held with the support of the British Consulate-General. The UK possesses one of the world’s leading research infrastructures and industrial clusters in the life sciences sector, with a mature ecosystem in which universities, research institutions, healthcare providers, startups, and investors collaborate closely.
In particular, clusters centered in Cambridge and London are globally driving the creation and commercialization of innovative medical technologies. In this initiative, connection to such advanced UK ecosystems is positioned as a key pillar. The three selected companies will be offered a UK immersion program to deepen collaboration with local players and enhance market understanding.
The support of the British Consulate-General is expected to further strengthen Japan–UK collaboration within this initiative and facilitate highly effective global expansion opportunities for startups. Through engagement with UK expertise and networks, startups originating from Osaka and Nakanoshima are anticipated to expand into global markets.
■ Media Inquiries
For media inquiries and attendance, please send the following information by email to the contact below by Friday, May 8, 17:00 (JST):
- Company name
- Name of representative
- Number of attendees
- Contact phone number
- Email address
- Bringing a TV camera (Yes/No)
Contact:
a.sakita@miracle-science-innovation.jp
NQ Global Startup Gateway Consortium
MIRACLE SCIENCE INNOVATION Inc. (Lead Organization)
Contact Person: Asuka Sakita
■ Notes
(*1) NQ Global Startup Gateway
Provides three original acceleration programs unique to Nakanoshima Qross to foster globally active startups.
(Details: https://nq-gateway.jp/en/)
(*2) UK Immersion Program
The selected three companies will participate in a one-week UK immersion program to build networks with local ecosystem players, deepen market understanding, and explore partnerships. This hands-on program involves staying in the UK, engaging deeply with the ecosystem, exploring the market, and creating new global opportunities.
(*3) NQ Global Startup Gateway Consortium
- MIRACLE SCIENCE INNOVATION Inc. (Lead Organization)
- AstraZeneca K.K.
- MedTech Actuator LLC
- Alloy Therapeutics Inc.
- Deep Intelligent Pharma Co., Ltd.
