The PharmaEssentia

Innovation Award 2026

For therapeutic research in Hematology, Oncology, Immunology, Rare/Orphan Diseases

in Taiwan and Japan or by Taiwanese or Japanese researchers.

Apply Now!

Prize Awards

Judges

Awards

Timeline

Three phases

Application

Easy application online in our Application Portal. Deadline in:

days

hours

Tokyo Final Judging

and Showcase

During Innovation Summit:

days

hours

Taipei Winners Announcement

During BioAsia:

days

hours

Therapeutic Areas

For research in the following therapeutic areas:

Hematology

Oncology

Autoimmune Disorders

Rare/Orphan Diseases

Apply Now!

Check List

Eligible Business Focus Areas

Applicants must demonstrate that their core business aligns with one or more of the following focus areas:

Therapeutic Drug Development: The applicant's core technology or drug development pipeline must address one or more of the following therapeutic areas: Hematology, Oncology, Rare Diseases, Autoimmune Disorders

AI-Enabled Drug Discovery Platforms: Applicants leveraging machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to accelerate drug development processes must demonstrate an existing or confirmed pilot program with a pharmaceutical company, and clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs) demonstrating measurable impact.

Cell Therapy Technologies & Assets: Applicants developing ex-vivo or in-vivo cell therapy platforms. Preference will be given to technologies that incorporate cost-reduction strategies in manufacturing processes.

Apply Now!

3 categories, 5 Awards

Awards

1 x GRAND PRIZE

$100,000 USD

Priority

partnership exploration with PharmaEssentia BD/Scientific team.

Featured

speaker at award ceremony + press conference.

Regulatory pathway consultation

(PMDA or TFDA).

Profile in international biotech publication.

2 x EXCELLENCE AWARDS

$40,000 USD each

Partnership

exploration session.

Presentation at industry conference.

Regulatory or

development consulting session.

2 x FINALIST RECOGNITION

$10,000 USD each

Invitation

to PharmaEssentia scientific meetings.

Certificate and public recognition.

Expert Panel of Judges

Meet Our International Panel of Judges

Prof. Satish Tadikonda

Harvard University

Panel Chair

Prof. William Marks

Harvard University

Azusa Shiohara, MBA, MSc

UTEC - The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners

Yasumasa Saito, PhD

SBI Investment Co.

Yukari Blumenthal, MD

TECH Tokyo

Prof. Arinobu Tojo

Institute of Science Tokyo

Prof. Yamagishi Yoshiaki

Osaka University

Prof. TBC

Taiwanese University

Lih-Ling Lin, PhD

CSO, PharmaEssentia

Award Director

Non-voting

Support and Documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for the PharmaEssentia Innovation Award, applicants must meet at least one

of the following criteria:

• The company is incorporated in Taiwan or Japan

• At least one member of the founding team holds a Taiwan or Japan passport

Additionally, applicants must meet this Funding Threshold:

Applicants must have raised less than USD $30 million in cumulative funding from investors or investment institutions. Government grants and academic funding are excluded from this calculation.

Submission of an application does not transfer any intellectual property rights to PharmaEssentia. Applicants retain full ownership of their technologies, patents, and proprietary information. PharmaEssentia makes no claims to any intellectual property disclosed during the application or evaluation process.

Ideally yes, although technologies originating from universities or research institutions that have not yet incorporated a company may apply, provided that:

• A complete patent application has been filed

• There is a documented plan to obtain full licensing rights and incorporate a company within six (6) months of the application date

Note: If selected as a winner, prize funds will be disbursed directly to the subsequently incorporated company entity.

events@tech-tokyo.org

annie_lin@pharmaessentia.com