JP

Support received through the BBT program

Advice and support for PR activities

Financial support for the purchase of research reagents

Participation in the Japan Healthcare Venture Summit

Support from mentors in formulating business plans and capital policies

Phase at the time of participation

I feel it was appropriate that we participated in the seeding stage, as the support programs helped us get off to a good start. Since technology is valued the most in biotech ventures, it is important to get people to invest at the seeding stage. In this first stage, it is very important to show and appeal to the outside (including conducting PR activities), and increase exposure, therefore it was very beneficial to receive advice and support through the BBT program, with regards to that field.

Achievements through the BBT program

We were very grateful that we were able to purchase research reagents when we were lacking sufficient funds. With the support of the BBT program, we were able to run a six-month experiment.

Networks and connections established through the BBT program

With the support of BBT, our company was able to participate in the Japan Healthcare Venture Summit, and as a result, we were able to exchange business cards with approximately 50 companies, and later conduct meetings with approximately 20 companies. The companies we are currently collaborating with were also connected through this event, therefore we feel it was a very beneficial opportunity.

In addition, we were able to obtain expert information from mentors on various aspects, such as assistance in business planning, capital policy formulation, and competitive analysis of diagnostic agents.

Support received through the BBT program

Support for applying/obtaining grants

Support from mentors in the field of clinical trials, healthcare and drug discovery

Support from BBT catalysts in obtaining funding

Phase at the time of participation

Typical acceleration programs focus on how to commercialize for the early stage, but in the BBT program, we were able to organize the stage before that, and get a clearer image of the business. Therefore, it was very beneficial to be able to participate in the pre-seed stage.

Achievements through the BBT program

After participating in the BBT program, we were able to apply to the NEDO application and win the grant. We obtained 1 million yen for the cost of patent research, and we are grateful we were able to conduct research on domestic and foreign patents.

Networks and connections established through the BBT program

We received mentoring during the program, for about two hours a week, and were able to receive guidance on what to look out for in clinical trials and the field of healthcare and drug discovery. We still receive mentoring from the mentors we met through the BBT program.

In addition, the BBT catalysts (working volunteers who supported us) had a great impact, as they helped us obtain funding, and helped us complete the PoC. I believe the unique characteristic of BBT, is that it provides people who have a background in clinical research planning and medical devices.

Startups usually obtain human resources through referrals, but we often have a hard time finding people as it is very competitive, and there are many talented resources in the medical field. Under this situation, being able to meet various people through the BBT program was a very valuable experience.

Support received through the BBT program

Advice from BBT mentors on business strategies

Conducting pitches in English

Obtaining knowledge in the drug discovery and medical fields

Guidance and advice from BBT mentors on the fundraising roadmap

Phase at the time of participation

When we participated in the BBT program, our solution “Braincure" received approval as a programmed medical device, and we were considering developing a business covered by insurance. Currently, the number of users of our app “Braincure" is steadily increasing, and implementation needs are increasing, especially from local governments.

Achievements through the BBT program

Through communication with the mentors during the BBT program, we were able to realize that our road map to adopt a strategy to expand our products as medical devices targeting medical institutions was not the best strategy. We were able to discover the new roadmap to target general users.
Additionally, through the program we were able to gain knowledge in the field of drug discovery and medicine, and we also had the opportunity to experience giving pitches in English.

Networks and connections established through the BBT program

We received guidance and advice from BBT mentors on our business and fundraising roadmap, and our participation in the BBT program directly influenced the shift in our business model.

Support received through the BBT program

Opportunity to network with overseas stakeholders through the interregional boot camp

Conducting and brushing up pitches

Advice from mentors on the overall drug discovery process and timing of development when applying for licenses

Advice from intellectual property mentors

Phase at the time of participation

The company was founded on December 9, 2021 after participating in the BBT program in 2020. We are currently in the seed round phase after receiving angel investment. In addition to developing drugs for strokes, which was underway at the time, we are also expanding our business by developing drugs for diseases other than strokes, based on a pipeline of compounds patented by the University of Tsukuba.

Achievements through the BBT program

The interregional boot camp provided by the BBT program was a valuable experience, as we were able to collaborate with overseas stakeholders and understand overseas market trends and overseas entrepreneurship patterns. Through the BBT program, we were also able to brush up on pitches, give presentations, and were also provided with monthly mentoring, which was extremely beneficial.

Networks and connections established through the BBT program

During the BBT program, we had meetings with several VCs, therefore we are still able to contact them when necessary. We are extremely thankful for the mentors of the BBT program, who carefully taught us about the entire drug discovery process and the timing of development when applying for a license as a drug discovery company. In addition, we received support from intellectual property mentors even after the program when we established our company and received intellectual property/support from the University of Tsukuba. We still keep in touch with the mentors and continue to cooperate with them.

Support received through the BBT program

Advice from advisors on the basics of drug discovery business, such as business models and other aspects of business development

Phase at the time of participation

When we participated in the BBT program in 2019, we had a broad AI-related business and did not focus on AI drug discovery. Since then, we engaged in the chemical business, including material informatics, and we are now operating as a company specializing in AI drug discovery. Since we launched our AI drug discovery platform, Elix Discovery™ about a year ago, we have shifted from a contract business to a licensed business.

Achievements through the BBT program

At the time of participation, we were mainly engaged in businesses other than AI drug discovery, therefore we appreciate the opportunity of participating in the BBT program, as it became a turning point for us to shift our business to drug discovery. There is definitely an aspect where the accumulation of direct and indirect advice within the BBT program has helped us make important decisions for our business. In addition, we gained insight on the business model of drug discovery from advisors, and as a result, we were able to engage in deeper discussions with pharmaceutical companies, and we believe we have made great progress.

Networks and connections established through the BBT program

Through discussions with our advisors, we learned about how to expand our business through drug discovery. As a startup with strengths in AI, we lacked the knowledge to develop a business in the drug discovery field, including knowledge on the milestone payment business model. We are very grateful to have joined the BBT program, as it was a valuable opportunity for us to think about the direction of growth for our business.

Support received through the BBT program

Advice from mentors

Access to the BBT alumni community

Phase at the time of participation

Our service "puzz" (clinical trial information disclosure platform for pharmaceutical companies/CRO/SMO/healthcare organizations), which we proposed during the BBT program, has successfully been developed and launched. When we first proposed this service, the clinical trial recruitment has just been carried out, and sales were just made.
In the current phase, we have 70 members in our company, and we finished Series A last October and are working towards Series B at the end of this year. The services we were considering during our participation in the BBT program (puzz and smt), are still in operation, and we are developing additional services as well.

Achievements through the BBT program

By participating in the BBT program, we were not only able to utilize the advice, but also utilize our participation in the program for recruitment and branding.

Networks and connections established through the BBT program

We are interested in the BBT Alumni community, and we would be very grateful if we can be invited to major events such as City-Tech Tokyo.

Support received through the BBT program

Participation in the Biotech Showcase

Opportunity to connect with overseas investors

Phase at the time of participation

When we participated in the BBT program, we have just finished Series A, and Series B was just being implemented. However, now we have already completed Series C. We have also moved from the non-clinical stage to the clinical stage, and we are making progress in both the business pipeline and product development. When we joined the program, we were at the stage where we wanted to have contact with overseas investors, therefore we are very grateful that the BBT program was able to support us to participate in the Biotech Showcase, encouraging us to take the first step forward.

Achievements through the BBT program

During the phase in which we participated in the BBT program, it was important for us to have the opportunity to share and publicize our business to the outside in order to obtain funding. Therefore, the opportunity to participate in the Biotech Showcase was very beneficial to us.

Networks and connections established through the BBT program

We received a lot of support through the BBT program and felt that it was a fulfilling program overall.