Initiatives
Innovation Tiger
Asia Bio-Partnering Event: Bridging Startups, Academia, Pharma & Investors
See Results from Last Year
Innovation Tiger is a premier pitch competition designed for high-potential drug discovery startups and academic researchers across Asia with promising scientific seeds.
From the pool of applicants, 10–15 finalist teams will be selected through a competitive screening process. These finalists will participate in an intensive two-month mentoring program, culminating in a live pitch at “Innovation Tiger 2026” in September.
At the final event, leading pharmaceutical companies and investors (8 organizations) will serve as judges (a.k.a. Tigers), evaluating each team based on both scientific excellence and global commercialization potential.
In addition, finalists will receive exclusive invitation SHIC in Boston 2026, a partnering event held later that winter, offering a gateway to the US VC/CVC/Pharma network.
Mentoring Program for Selected Finalists
To maximize the impact of each finalist’s pitch, the program provides approximately two months of dedicated mentoring focused on refining both scientific value and business potential.
Mentors include BD professionals from pharma and experienced industry experts, who will provide hands-on guidance. This mentoring is designed not only for the final pitch at Innovation Tiger, but also to prepare participants for global investor engagement and partnering opportunities at SHIC 2026 in Boston.
JUDGES
Mentors & Advisors
Jun Kusunoki
Johnson & Johnson
Senior Director, Japan Country Lead
External Scientific Innovation APAC
Masanori Sato
ReachMed Partners LLC
President
Yasufumi Wada
Nippon Zoki Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Chief Scientific & Strategic Officer
Ryuji Osawa
Ciconia Bioventures Inc.
Business Development, VP
Hikaru Saito
Saisei Ventures GK
Partner
Schedule Leading Up to Innovation Tiger 2026
May – July 23, 2026
Call for Pitch Presenters
Late July 2026
Document Screening
Early August 2026
Finalists Announcement
August – September 2026
Mentoring Program
September 15, 2026
Innovation Tiger 2026 Event (Final Results)
Innovation Tiger 2026 – Call for Presenters
| Application Period: | May-July 23,2026 |
|---|---|
| Eligibility: | Startups and academic researchers based in Asia |
| Target Seeds: | Please refer to each judge (Tiger) profile above for detailed areas of interest. |
| Finalists: | Approximately 10 to 15 teams will be selected (to be announced around early August). |
FAST TRACK
Want to secure your finalist status ASAP?
iPark and Local institutions will organize FAST TRACK Regionals in your regions!
<Seoul in May>
Partner:
<Taiwan in July>
Partner:
