DBT Engineering Biology Trade Mission to Japan

17 - 21 February 2025: Tokyo

Join the Bioeconomy in Japan! 

Are you ready to expand your innovative business and explore new horizons? Japan aims to expand its bioeconomy market to US$650 billion by 2030, providing growing and exciting opportunities for UK engineering biology companies. Capitalise on the vast market potential and the opportunity to interact with this dynamic market. 

The UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is excited to announce this engineering biology trade mission to Japan in February 2025.

We Need You! 

The UK Government defines engineering biology as the design, scaling and commercialisation of biology-derived products and services that can transform sectors or produce existing products more sustainably. It draws on the tools of synthetic biology to create the next wave of innovation in the bioeconomy. 

Are you an engineering biology company that has applications in the following areas? 

• Agriculture and food: This may include areas such as precision bred crops, novel pest control agents, biologically derived fertilisers, innovative preservatives, or cell-cultivated food products. 

• Chemicals and materials:  This means the production of chemicals and materials, novel or otherwise, which includes a biotechnological step in the process of production.

• Nucleotide and protein synthesis: This includes the synthesis of genetic vectors (such as RNA, DNA, plasmids) and proteins.

• Nucleotide sequencing: This may include the sequencing of RNA and DNA, as well as diagnostic platforms for metagenomics. 

• Low-carbon fuels: This means the production of bio-fuels, or other drop-in fuels, which includes a biotechnological step in the process of production.

• Strain or protein development: Capabilities in developing, designing and assisting companies in the engineering biology elements for any of the above areas. 

Your company should be:

A company that is ready for commercial engagement (i.e. with a realistic prospect of generating new revenue from Japan within the next 1-3 years, entering partnerships with Japanese corporates, or attracting investment). 

Why Japan?

• Large market potential: Japan is the 3rd largest economy in the world, meaning it is a substantial market for innovative UK engineering biology companies! It is also a potential gateway to other Asian markets. 

• Home to corporate giants: Japan is home to some of the world's corporate giants such as Sojitz, Sumimoto and Fujifilm. Such companies have a significant global presence, contributing to the country's reputation as a hub for technological advancement and economic power. Japan's leading business association, Keidanren, is actively promoting biological transformation in Japanese industry (which it calls BX), creating opportunities for UK engineering biology companies who can meet Japanese companies' needs. 

• Government support: The Japanese government’s Bioeconomy Strategy aims to grow its bioeconomy to US$650 billion by 2030 through several initiatives. This creates commercial opportunities for UK engineering biology companies seeking to work in partnership with Japanese companies. 

• Innovation and technology adoption: Japan is a high-tech nation and is receptive to the highly innovative products and services coming from engineering biology, therefore providing a fertile ground for UK-based innovations. There is growing demand in Japan for international R&D partnerships!

The trade mission will take place over one week in Tokyo, as Tokyo is a hub of Japanese Engineering Biology. Therefore, Tokyo is the best place to offer you a chance to meet with an exciting range of organisations aimed at providing direct commercial opportunity and in-market connections to grow your company's potential!  

Join us to drive changes and set new standards in one of the most dynamic markets!

Why a DBT trade mission?

Relationship-building is key to navigating the Japanese market. Our team, alongside our embassy staff, who have extensive in-market knowledge and insight into Japanese business culture, will provide a tailored programme of engagement for UK companies selected. These engagements will be focused on providing direct commercial opportunity, with delegates meeting an exciting range of organisations to foster in-market connections to grow your commercial potential.  

What to expect?

The agenda is currently being finalised and will depend on the delegates recruited. The mission is expected to include:

• Pre-mission and in-market briefings
• Curated networking opportunities to facilitate introductions with in-market stakeholders
• Specially selected organisational visits with pitching opportunities to potential buyers, partners and investors

Registration

No more than 12 places will be awarded, so please register your interest via the link below by 23:59 8 December 2024 (UK time). Final selection will be at the discretion of the DBT team. 

During the sign up process you will also get the opportunity to provide further details about your business and your commercial viability to support your registration. Please note, if selected for the mission we will ask companies to confirm attendance and travel arrangements by the required deadlines. If you fail to do so, you may be removed from the mission and another company given your spot.

Register

For all queries, please email contact the Department for Business and Trade at lifescience@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

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