Japan × Global Life Sciences
Japan Market Entry for Life Science Companies.
I help global biotech and healthtech companies understand the Japanese market, identify the right opportunities, and build relationships with local stakeholders — grounded in 14+ years in genomics and nearly eight years building a Y Combinator–backed genomics startup from its early stage.
Who I Work With
Series A–C biotech and healthtech companies outside Japan who are looking to understand, enter, or grow in the Japanese market.
AI-enabled drug discovery and biotech platforms
Genomics, diagnostics, and precision-health companies
Life science tools and data companies
Services
Currently available for a limited number of partners
Japan Market Entry Research & Validation
Market structure, competitors, regulatory and adoption environment, plus validation of Japan use cases, prospective customers, and positioning. Deliverables: Excel database, market map, competitor analysis, entry recommendations.
from $4,000
Japan Opportunity Database
A structured, curated database of the Japanese companies and researchers most relevant to your entry — built for direct outreach and ongoing reference.
from $3,500
Ongoing Japan Market Support
Target account selection, outreach, deal preparation, and continuous market development. Typically 3–6 months, longer-term preferred.
from $3,000/month
Customized Projects
For needs that don't fit the above — combined engagements, larger organizations, or a different scope entirely.
Individual quote
Why Work With Me
Scientific depth meets on-the-ground market access.
I'm not a generalist market-entry consultant. I've spent 14+ years working across genomics, life science research, data, product, and global marketing.
I help international biotech and healthtech companies understand not only the Japanese market, but where their science fits, who they should talk to, and how to build the right relationships locally.
14+ Years
Genomics & Life Sciences
Across research, product, and market strategy
500+ Studies
Reviewed & Curated
For genomic evidence
Pre-Seed → Profitable
Genomics Startup
Nearly eight years at a Y Combinator–backed genomics company — from early stage through profitability, at a lean, Series A-comparable scale
Sample Deliverable
An illustrative preview of the deliverable format, based on the structure used in live business development work. Company names, URLs, and identifying details have been removed or replaced.
Excerpt — Japan Opportunity Database
| Company | Size | Status | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotech (small) | Sent email | Inquiry form | |
| Biotech (small) | Materials shared | Event contact | |
| Pharma (mid/large) | Individual contact only | Senior Manager | |
| Large pharma | Sent email · referral sent | Inquiry form | |
| Large pharma | Low priority | — |
Illustrative excerpt — the actual database is delivered as a full, sortable Excel file, including outreach status, contact routes, and notes for each organization.
Excerpt — Target Company Profiles
Series A
Small-molecule discovery platform; academic partnerships in oncology.
Academic Lab
University-affiliated lab publishing on rare-disease variant discovery.
CRO / CDMO
Contract manufacturing partner for biologics; regional distribution.
Large Pharma
In-licensing team evaluating early-stage overseas platforms.
Illustrative excerpt — the actual map profiles each target organization with segment, region, entry readiness, and a written summary of clusters and gaps.
Current Engagement
Case Study — Boston, US · Market Entry in Progress
Pauling.AI
Challenge
Pauling.AI, a Boston-based AI-powered drug discovery platform, had no established presence, relationships, or market intelligence in Japan's pharmaceutical and academic research landscape.
What I Did
Mapped the Japanese small-molecule drug discovery landscape, identified priority target accounts, and began direct outreach to pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers on Pauling.AI's behalf.
Deliverables
A structured target-account database, a segmented market map of the Japanese landscape, and coordination of initial business discussions with target organizations.
Early Outcome
Initial conversations are underway with several target organizations. The engagement is ongoing — shared here as a process example rather than a completed result.
Additional Case Study — Completed
Global Life Sciences Software Company · Japanese Market
Life Sciences SEO Localization for Japan
Supported a multi-batch Japanese SEO localization project involving technically complex life sciences content. The work required rapid alignment with project requirements, careful interpretation of scientific terminology, and consistent quality across multiple deliverables.
Scope of Work
- Japanese keyword and search-intent analysis
- Scientific terminology and localization review
- Alignment with Japanese search behavior
- Cross-batch quality and consistency management
Outcome
All planned deliverables were completed successfully. Feedback shared through the project delivery partner was largely positive, particularly regarding the overall quality of the submitted work.
Feedback Summary — The project delivery partner highlighted Akiko's life sciences expertise, understanding of complex requirements, attention to detail, professionalism, and collaborative approach. These strengths helped maintain consistency across batches and support the successful completion of the planned deliverables.
Selected Organizations I've Worked With
The University of TokyoAcademia
VeevaLife Sciences SaaS
MUFGFinance · One-off talk
LIXILManufacturing · One-off talk
NichiaPhotonics · Materials · One-off talk
NiterraAdvanced Ceramics · One-off talk
Mentoring & Ecosystem
Alchemist AcceleratorMentor Network · Deep Tech, US
Beyond Next Ventures / BRAVE GlobalMentored 2024–2025
NTT都市開発Mentor · Tamachi Mirai Juku
Track Record
1M+
Users Reached
Scaled Genomelink from 10K to 1M+ through research-driven product strategy
500+
Studies Curated
Built and curated a large-scale consumer genomics evidence database
14+
Years in Genomics
From academic research at The University of Tokyo to YC-backed startup
2026–Present
Pauling.AI · Boston, US
Japan Partner
First partner in Japan for Pauling.AI's AI-powered small-molecule drug discovery platform. Building a BD pipeline of Japanese biotech and pharma partnerships.
2018–2025
Genomelink · Science Team · Y Combinator S21
Lead Researcher & DB Developer
Designed the operation that let the science team deliver GWAS paper curation faster than competitors, and led the selection and evaluation of trending research for the platform — work that helped build the scientific foundation presented during the company's growth and YC journey. Built and scaled the company's core scientific database and co-led Weekly Traits (10× engagement), YourRoots, and Ancient Bloodlines.
2025–2026
NTT Urban Development · Science Tokyo
Mentor — Tamachi Mirai Juku
Mentored the highest-scoring team in the final presentation category across all participating teams.
2025
SPEEDA · Expert Network
Expert Writer — Bioinformatics
Commissioned expert articles on bioinformatics and bio-materials. Recognized with Flash Opinion "Best Opinion" Award.
Selected Projects
DNA Ancestry Product
YourRoots
Pre-launch market research, competitor analysis, and community insight. Helped shape the product direction for Genomelink's ancestry feature.
Content Series
Weekly Traits
Planned and curated DNA-based trait content (Caffeine, Stress, Sleep) in EN/JP. Achieved 10× increase in user engagement.
SPEEDA
Expert Writing — Bio-Materials
Analyzed intersection of biotech innovation and market opportunities for SPEEDA.
🏆 Best Opinion Award
🏆 Best Opinion Award
Current Research & Industry Focus
Preparing poster presentation for ASHG 2026 in Montréal (Oct 20–24)
Growing Pauling.AI's referral pipeline among Japanese small-molecule drug discovery startups
Search intent analysis in complex scientific areas (gene therapies, biologics)
Bridging scientific accuracy with market relevance for the Japanese market
About Me
I'm Akiko — a bilingual researcher and startup consultant based in Tokyo, working at the intersection of genomics, market intelligence, and global strategy.
My career began in academic research. In 2022, I was offered a postdoctoral research position at the National Institute of Genetics (NIG, Japan) — but chose to decline it and continue building Genomelink, the startup I had already been part of since 2018.
At Genomelink, a Y Combinator–backed DNA startup, I was an early member of the science team, leading genomic research, scientific content planning, and product development. In 2018–2019, I split my time between Japan and the U.S., working out of Genomelink's Berkeley SkyDeck office and engaging daily with global founders, researchers, and investors in one of the world's most dynamic startup ecosystems.
I have mentored PhD founders and deep-tech entrepreneurs through Beyond Next Ventures, the Alchemist Accelerator, and other programs — supporting commercialization, global communication, and market validation. I've collaborated with professionals from Japan, India, the U.S., New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Australia, and traveled to 33 countries.
Base
Tokyo, Japan
Languages
Japanese · English
Background
Systems Engineering · Genome Research
Industry
Genomics · Life Sciences · Deep Tech
Countries visited
33
Japan Market Insights
Practical market intelligence for biotech and healthtech companies exploring opportunities in Japan.
Japan Market Entry · Biotech
Is Japan the Right Market for Your Biotech? A 10-Point Readiness Checklist
Before investing time and capital in Japan, assess whether your technology,
business model, and development stage are a good fit for the Japanese market.
Japan Pharma · Licensing
Kissei Pharmaceutical × Viridian Therapeutics: A Japan Licensing Case
A closer look at a Japan licensing agreement for thyroid eye disease assets —
and what it illustrates about how overseas biotech assets can reach the Japanese market.
BioJapan 2026 · Japan Market Entry
BioJapan 2026 Guide for Overseas Biotech Companies: Partnering, Meetings & Japan Market Entry
A practical guide for overseas biotech companies preparing for BioJapan 2026 —
from Partnering and target selection to meetings, follow-up, and Japan market entry.
Japan Pharma · Partnering
Pharmaceutical Companies in Japan: A Guide for Global Biotech Companies
An overview of the Japanese pharmaceutical landscape and a practical framework
for identifying which Japanese pharma companies are strategically relevant
to your technology or asset.
More Writing
Selected writing on genomics, deep tech, and scientific innovation.
Genomics · Market Intelligence
Ultima Genomics: The New Architecture Challenging Illumina's Dominance in the Genomics Era
Ultima's semiconductor-based sequencing system fundamentally rethinks how genomes are read —
targeting $100 per whole genome and challenging Illumina's 70–80% market share.
Healthcare · Global Access
Why Doesn't Cutting-Edge Medicine Reach Patients?
Technology exists, but it cannot always be used immediately.
The real question in healthcare may not be what is possible,
but where it can actually be applied.
Let's Talk
Have a project in mind? I'd love to hear about it.