Press release —
The World Health Expo Osaka 2026 will be held in Osaka next week
Here we take a look at a pavilion and programs being led by Osaka Prefecture that are attracting attention.
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Overview of WHX Osaka 2026 event
[Schedule] July 2 - 4 (Thurs. to Sat.), 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
[Venue] INTEX Osaka, Hall 6 (1-5-102 Nanko-Kita, Suminoe-Ku, Osaka)
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"Osaka Pavilion": A large-scale booth exhibiting industry-academia-government collaboration (July 2 - 4)
The Osaka Bio Headquarters (Secretariat: Osaka Prefecture) will participate in WHX Osaka in a large-scale booth called the "Osaka Pavilion," which will be exhibited through collaboration between industry, academia, and government entities within the prefecture. The booth will showcase the appeal and potential of the life sciences sector in Osaka.
This pavilion will feature exhibits from world-class academic institutions and leading companies. This will include the University of Osaka Immunology Frontier Research Center, members of which include Professor Shimon Sakaguchi, a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, and Professor Shizuo Akira, a recipient of the Japan Prize. There will also be exhibits of cutting-edge technologies that garnered significant attention at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Life sciences clusters from Europe and America will also be invited and opportunities will be provided for them to communicate information within the pavilion, and to interact with related parties such as Japanese academic institutions and companies.
▸ For further details and to register to attend:
"Expo Legacy Zone": Meet companies involved in BNCT (July 2 - 4)
An "Expo Legacy Zone" will be set up within the venue and will feature STELLA PHARMA CORPORATION and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. These are two of the companies supporting BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy), which was also showcased at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
BNCT is a new therapy method that utilizes neutrons and a boron agent that is readily absorbed by cancer cells. More than 500 clinical trials have been conducted using the research reactor at Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, which is located in Osaka Prefecture. From 2020, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University has begun providing BNCT for head and neck cancers as treatment covered by health insurance.
In the Kansai area, including Osaka, there are many institutes that bring together the four elements necessary for BNCT (an accelerator neutron source/irradiation system, boron chemistry and drugs, nuclear medicine for PET, and experts with specialized knowledge). These institutions are leading the world in BNCT research, working closely together to pursue innovative research and development programs.
▸ STELLA PHARMA CORPORATION (Research, development, and sales of boron agents)
▸ Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Development of a compact BNCT accelerator suitable for installation in hospitals)
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
▸About BNCT
Round Table & Workshop（2 July）
What Is the Global Standard for Healthcare Deep Tech Startup Ecosystems?
Osaka Prefecture, in a project centered around the International Institute of Future Medicine "Nakanoshima Qross," is promoting the creation and nurturing of future medical startups, including the industrialization of regenerative medicine, through collaboration with overseas life science clusters and the formation of a global startup ecosystem.
The event will bring together key figures from major overseas life science clusters, innovation hubs, and startup support organizations collaborating with Nakanoshima Qross for a discussion themed: "What is the global standard for healthcare deep tech startup ecosystems?"
This event is an opportunity for startups aiming for global success in the healthcare deep tech field, academia working to commercialize research results, businesses and investors seeking collaboration with startups, and support organizations and government officials to understand the current state of the global ecosystem and consider global expansion from Osaka's Nakanoshima Qross.
▸ For the program and media inquiries:
https://peatix.com/event/5024141?k=978f7722c99e6e6fb2bc7936b5f6a39da35b4388
A New Summit for Medical and Healthcare Innovation WHX Leaders Osaka
WHX Leaders Osaka will be launched for the first time on July 3, 2026, as an international conference in the life sciences and healthcare fields, welcoming health ministers and other senior leaders primarily from countries in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
Building on and advancing the legacy of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the summit aims to contribute to solving global challenges related to human health and life. Through this initiative, the conference seeks to stimulate related businesses and promote the continued development of these industries.
▸ For inquiries regarding participation:
WHX Leaders Osaka/en | World Health Expo Japan
▸Program:
WHXleaders2026-pamphlet-A4-8P-en-79c0d998a1055157afa5ab55c50b0d11.pdf
Related links
For an overview of WHX Osaka:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:87ca1ebe-c113-4036-8099-76d15b5d4bad
To register participation:
https://www.worldhealthexpo.com/events/healthcare/japan/ja/
