13. Mai 2016 Kobe and Life Science Nord on a joint mission

During a North German delegation’s visit to Japan, the cluster management organizations of the two regions signed an agreement to strengthen collaboration between companies in life science innovations. To foster the development and market launch of innovations for the health industry, the Japanese Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation (FBRI) und Life Science Nord signed a letter of intent in Kobe. The letter deals with cooperation in the RIT program (Regional Industry Tie-Up) of the Japanese foreign trade organization JETRO, which supports the exchange of views and collaboration between companies and research institutes. As a result of the success to date, the program will now be extended to 2017. The potential dates for the next two meetings have already been narrowed down – at least one exchange visit per year is planned. Companies have already provided positive feedback “After several preliminary discussions, we began an intensive exchange of views and ideas between companies and research institutes in both regions. Several participants have already drawn up specific collaboration plans. “After such a short time, this is a very positive interim result,” says Dr. Hinrich Habeck, Managing Director of Life Science Nord Management GmbH. “For us, the agreement means continuing and deepening the activities between Life Science Nord and the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster.” Clearly defined fields of action The letter of intent to extend collaboration includes defined fields of action. Besides activities to create networks among businesses, research institutes and authorities, the two cluster management organizations above all want to support technology transfer and the market launch of innovation. Political focus of the delegation’s visit The visit to Kobe took place during a five-day visit of Torsten Albig, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister-President, and Reinhard Meyer, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Employment, Transport and Technology to Japan and China. One focus of the visit was on life sciences. “Together with Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein has set up the Life Science Cluster with a view to supporting life science companies in North Germany,” says Reinhard Meyer.  "This takes place, among other things, thorough contacts to businesses and organizations at the international level. The similar areas of focus and structures of the North German and Japanese life science clusters offer a host of highly promising opportunities for the future.”


For further information: Life Science Nord Management GmbH
Simone Hauck, Marketing & PR Manager
Falkenried 88, 20251 Hamburg
Tel.: 040 - 471 96 -423 
Fax: 040 - 471 96 -444
E-Mail: hauck(at)lifesciencenord.de