Startup Genome launched the first cohort of the Global Hypergrowth Tokyo late-stage scaling program in March 2024 in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The initiative aims to propel the best Tokyo tech companies into successful global commercialization and expansion into international target markets.

The program addresses a significant support gap for fast-growing startups, recognizing them as drivers of economic growth and competitiveness, and creators of sustainable jobs and societal wellbeing. In its inaugural cohort, Hypergrowth provides 21 companies from Tokyo with access to global mentors, expert scaling advice from leading executives, go-to market support, and connections to potential new customers and investors.

The companies selected represent a variety of sub-sectors, including Deep Tech, Life Sciences, and AI, and have raised close to $100 million in total funding as they look to expand overseas.

In this article series, Startup Genome introduces the cohort companies, exploring the groundbreaking technologies each startup is developing to make a positive impact on the world.

Introducing Biotech Startup NGENIESS Biosciences

Hokkaido-based NGENIESS Biosciences developed its core N-Link Technology for bioconjugation for medicine. N-Link Technology offers the simplest and most specific bioconjugation solution for medicinal and research applications, enabling the production of chemically-modified proteins in a single step with the added capability of highly-selective and homogenous N-terminal modification.

The technology can convert proteins, peptides, sugars, and nucleic acids into bioconjugation reagents, facilitating precise linkage to the N-terminus of target proteins. By streamlining the bioconjugation process, N-Link Technology significantly simplifies the production of biopharmaceuticals and diagnostic materials, offering a faster, more efficient solution.

Q&A with NGENIESS Biosciences CTO Akira Onoda

Startup Genome spoke to NGENIESS Biosciences for a look into its groundbreaking technology, biggest challenges, and future innovations.

Startup Genome (SG): Can you explain the core mission of your organization and how your technologies are advancing the field?

Akira Onoda (AO): The core of our mission provides facile and specific bioconjugation for antibody and peptide-based drugs including liposomes and lipid nanoparticles for better therapeutics. This N-Link Technology allows production of chemically-modified proteins in a single step, enabling highly-selective and homogeneous bioconjugation. The technology converts drugs, sugars, and nucleic acids into bioconjugation reagents, facilitating precise linkage to the N-terminus of target proteins. This platform technology is a powerful tool for developing personalized medicine.

SG: What are the biggest challenges your organization faces and how are you addressing them?

AO: We have unique and strong platform technology in bioconjugation for proteins and peptides. The challenge is to find the customer that needs simple and specific bioconjugation.

SG: How does your organization differentiate itself from other companies in the sector, particularly in terms of technology and business model?

AO: Our core N-Link Technology offers the simplest and most specific bioconjugation solution for medicine and research applications. Our company has this powerful platform technology for bioconjugation potentially used in different modalities.

SG: What support has your organization received through Startup Genome/Hypergrowth?

AO: Startup Genome Hypergrowth has provided mentoring about NGENIESS Biosciences’ business plan in the U.S. market.

SG: How does your organization plan to contribute to sector growth, and what are your long-term goals for the company?

AO: We plan to deliver specific N-Link bioconjugation technology to users and develop antibody and peptide-based drugs including liposomes and lipid nanoparticles with this bioconjugation.

For a deeper look at the Tokyo ecosystem and to learn more about the Global Hypergrowth Tokyo cohort companies, Explore Tokyo.