On March 19, 2025, the U.S.-based Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), in cooperation with Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), hosted a U.S.-Japan joint roundtable on “Navigating Biopharma Innovation with Patient Engagement Towards a Healthy Aging Society.”

Addressing the challenges of Japan’s aging society, innovation in healthcare and biotechnology—including biopharmaceuticals—is becoming increasingly essential. At the same time, the expectations and demands for such innovation are becoming more complex and individualized. To resolve issues associated with an aging society and to realize a healthy and long-lived society, continuous innovation in biotechnology is indispensable. The government, industry, academia, and patients and stakeholders need to collaborate and engage in ongoing dialogue.
In this context, the roundtable convened representatives from biopharmaceutical companies in the United States, Japanese patient advocacy groups, and additional relevant stakeholders to discuss these challenges. Topics included disparities and challenges related to research and development (R&D), access to biopharmaceuticals across both countries, and future opportunities for U.S.-Japan collaboration to realize a healthy and long-lived society.

Key Discussion Points

• The evolution and ideal state of patient and stakeholder engagement in Japan
• The importance of sustaining disease awareness activities
• The significance of promoting patient and stakeholder participation in policymaking and drug R&D, and establishing this participation as a cultural norm
• The need to enhance systems and institutions that support patient and stakeholder engagement at the societal level
• The necessity for governments, regulatory authorities, and physicians to deepen their understanding of the lives of patients and stakeholders and the realities of drug R&D and access in order to achieve both innovation and sustainable access
• The need to establish venues where all stakeholders—governments, regulatory authorities, industry, academia, patients, and stakeholders—can gather and engage in dialogue
   

[Event Overview]

• Date & Time: Wednesday, March 19, 2025; 10:00-11:30 JST
• Format: In-person (No online streaming), Invitation-only
• Venue: The Capitol Hotel Tokyu (2-10-3 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014)
• Language: Japanese and English (simultaneous interpretation)
• Host: Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
• Supported by: Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI)

 

[Program] (Titles omitted, no particular order)

10:00-10:15 Networking

10:15-10:20 Opening Remarks

John Crowley (President and CEO, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO))

10:20-11:20 Discussion and Q&A

Moderators:
John Crowley (President and CEO, BIO)
Ryoji Noritake (Chair, HGPI)

11:20-11:30 Closing Remarks
 

[Participants] (Titles omitted, no particular order)

John Crowley (President and CEO, BIO)
Juan Camilo Arjona Ferreria (Chief Medical Officer, Organon)
Eric Dube (CEO, Travere Therapeutics)
John Glasspool (CEO, VarmX)
Jake Becraft (CEO, Strand Therapeutics)
Tasuku Kitada (President, Strand Therapeutics)
Chris Leibman (Senior Vice President, Biogen)
Adam Roach (Head of Asia Pacific, BeiGene)
Yoshikazu Nakamura (General Manager, Chiesi Pharma Japan)
Nobuki Ando (Former Chairman, Japan Health Insurance Association)
Masanori Okuse (Representative Director, INSPIRE JAPAN WPD – The Japanese Association for Public Awareness of Psoriasis)
Teruyuki Katori (Representative Director, Future Institute Wolong; Senior Advisor, The Asia Group)
Takeshi Shukunobe (President and CEO, PPeCC)
Akihiko Soyama (President and CEO, Link-J (Life Science Innovation Network Japan))
Kai Tsuda (Japan Scleroderma Patients Association -Kizuna)
Hitoshi Fukuhara (Representative Director, Heart Valve Voice)
Kyoko Yamauchi (Representative, Swallow Association)
Yuhei Yamada (Representative Director, Porque, the Organization of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities)
Yui Kohno (Manager, HGPI)
Ryoji Noritake (Chair, HGPI)

 

About the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)

BIO is the world’s largest biotechnology industry association, representing biotechnology companies, academic research institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 countries BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

Website: https://www.bio.org