In Okinawa, a rapidly growing hub for startups in Asia, CancerFree Biotech has been selected as one of just four teams worldwide to join the OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University) Acceleration Program.
OIST, a globally renowned research institute directly managed by the Cabinet Office of Japan, boasts an exceptionally high level of internationalization, with more than 50% of its researchers being foreign nationals. Since its founding in 2011, OIST has risen swiftly on the global stage, ranking 9th worldwide and 1st in Japan among research institutions according to the Nature Index in less than eight years. Each year, OIST admits only about 50 doctoral students, offering Japan’s most generous scholarships, creating a highly competitive research environment.
This year’s acceleration program began with 25 teams advancing to the first stage, where they underwent online training and business model validation. Afterward, 12 teams were selected to participate in the Okinawa camp program as the second stage. Finally, four teams made it to the third and final stage: CancerFree Biotech, Perseptive, Strout Inc, and Tlaloc Blue.
Combining Academic Excellence with Market Introduction to Accelerate Commercialization
In recent years, cities across Japan, including Tokyo and Fukuoka, have been actively promoting technology transfer and industrial development through large-scale startup events and competitions. Similarly, Okinawa has fostered collaboration between research institutions and startup support organizations to facilitate interactions with domestic and international companies.
The OIST Acceleration Program offers selected startups funding support, access to world-class research facilities (such as supercomputers, electron microscopes, and advanced genetic analysis instruments), and opportunities for collaboration with OIST researchers on a wide range of research topics. This unique environment not only accelerates business development but also drives technological innovation. The program consists of online training, a two-week Okinawa camp, and a final selection stage. CancerFree Biotech is the first Taiwanese company to make it into the program.
“Avatar Medicine” for Personalized Cancer Treatment
CancerFree Biotech was highly evaluated for its “Avatar Medicine” technology, which uses patient-derived cancer cells to test the efficacy of individualized anti-cancer treatments. By leveraging OIST’s research resources and market connections, CancerFree Biotech aims to accelerate its expansion into the Japanese market. The company also plans to research how ethnic differences influence tumor development and drug response, broadening the potential of personalized cancer therapy.
CEO Po Chen’s Statement:
“We believe that being selected for the OIST Acceleration Program is a recognition of our technology and market potential on an international level. Through this opportunity, we aim to further accelerate our expansion in the Japanese market and deepen collaborations with local medical and research institutions.”
