【Press Release】iPark Institute Signs MOU with Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to Strengthen Japan–Taiwan Collaboration in Healthcare and Drug Discovery

Press Release

April 21, 2026

iPark Institute Co., Ltd.
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)

iPark Institute Signs MOU with Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to Strengthen Japan–Taiwan Collaboration in Healthcare and Drug Discovery

●  This marks the second MOU signed by iPark Institute with a Taiwanese research institution, following the agreement with the National Biotechnology Research Park (NBRP) in July 2019.
●  In addition to NBRP’s strength in basic research, the MOU with ITRI—recognized for its capabilities in industrialization and social implementation—further strengthens collaboration between Japanese and Taiwanese startups.

iPark Institute Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Fujisawa, Kanagawa; President & CEO: Toshio Fujimoto; hereinafter “iPark Institute”) announced that on April 1, 2026, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) (Head Office: Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County: President: Pei-Zen Chang: hereinafter “ITRI”) to strengthen Japan—Taiwan collaboration in the healthcare and drug discovery fields. A signing ceremony was held on April 21 of the same month.

ITRI, one of Taiwan’s largest public research institutions, has established strong networks with startups, academia, and hospitals across Taiwan, and is recognized for its strengths in venture investment and commercialization support. Under the MOU, the two organizations will leverage their respective networks to enhance collaboration between Japanese and Taiwanese startups, promote joint initiatives, and accelerate the creation of innovation.
The main areas of cooperation include:

● Strengthening startup collaboration and growth support
● Joint implementation of exhibitions, events, and inter-company collaboration programs
● Collaboration in clinical research, market validation, and regulatory affairs
● Exploration of cooperation in product development and manufacturing (CDMO)

Toshio Fujimoto, President & CEO of iPark Institute, commented:
“Taiwan’s biotechnology industry has developed strong research and development capabilities supported by a well-established manufacturing base and extensive clinical trial networks. Collaboration with ITRI will play an important role in advancing partnerships between Taiwan-origin biotech ventures and Japanese companies. This initiative is expected to further deepen innovation in the Japan—Taiwan bioindustry and expand its impact into the global biomedical market.”

Maggie Lu, Director of the Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, commented:
“Through the signing of a MOU with iPark Institute, we aim to further strengthen collaboration with Japanese companies in the research and development of innovative pharmaceuticals and key technologies within Taiwan’s industrial sector, thereby accelerating our international expansion. Furthermore, by combining the strengths of both Japan and Taiwan in the clinical and manufacturing fields, we will promote the joint development of the pharmaceutical industry and further strengthen our ties with the global pharmaceutical market.”

 

About Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is a world-leading research and development organization dedicated to driving innovation for a better future. Since its establishment in 1973, ITRI has played a pivotal role in Taiwan’s industrial transformation from a labor-intensive to an innovation-driven economy. To date, ITRI has contributed to the creation and nurturing of renowned startups and spin-off companies, including UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation) and TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). Headquartered in Taiwan, ITRI has established branches in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Thailand. For more information, please visit the official website (https://www.itri.org/eng).

About iPark Institute Co., Ltd.
iPark Institute Co., Ltd. was established in 2023 with Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corporation (IIF), Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda), and Mitsubishi Corporation as major shareholders. It took over the management of Shonan Health Innovation Park (Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture) in 2023, which Takeda has been responsible for since 2018. For more information about our company, please click here.

About Shonan Health Innovation Park (Shonan iPark)
Shonan iPark is Japan’s first pharmaceutical-initiated science park, created by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in April 2018 by opening its own research laboratories to the outside world. Currently operated by iPark Institute Co., Ltd. independent of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the park aims to become a place where industry, government, and academia from a wide range of industries and sizes can come together to accelerate health innovation. Currently, the ecosystem is comprised of not only pharmaceutical companies, but also companies and organizations in next generation medicine, cellular agriculture, AI, and government, with approximately 220 companies and more than 3,500 people (as of April 2026).

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For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact:
iPark Institute Co., Ltd., Communications
Attn: Tsukahara
Mail: iPi.PR@shonan-ipark.com