The London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE) team has officially launched the new J-StarX UK HealthTech Launchpad programme in Tokyo.
LIHE is partnering with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), to launch a new programme called the J-StarX UK HealthTech Launchpad. The programme strengthens the growing innovation partnership between King’s College London, the NHS and Japan, creating new opportunities for clinical collaboration, research and international commercialisation.
The programme supports Japan-based MedTech and digital health startups as they expand into the UK and European markets. Drawing on LIHE’s expertise in clinical translation, medical device regulation, NHS market access and venture acceleration, the programme gives founders direct access to researchers, clinicians, investors and industry leaders across the UK’s HealthTech ecosystem.
To mark the start of Phase 1, members of the LIHE team travelled to Tokyo for the programme's bootcamp, where they held expert roundtables and strategic planning sessions, helping each startup define its priorities for UK market entry.
Phase 1, themed "Understanding the UK healthcare market," continues with online masterclasses, expert advice and mentoring. The cohort will travel to London later this year for an intensive programme of ecosystem visits, one-to-one mentoring, meetings with NHS organisations, investors and commercial partners, and tailored business development activities.
The five startups selected for Phase 1 are:
- Anaut Inc.
- Quadlytics Inc.
- ModAstera Inc.
- yocto Co., Ltd
- LIFESCAPES Inc.
Phase 2 begins in November 2026, offering hands-on support to companies selected from the Phase 1 cohort, including product design, business plan validation and clinical evidence development.
Through the programme, LIHE aims to help Japanese innovators navigate one of the world’s most complex healthcare systems, build strategic partnerships and accelerate the adoption of promising technologies across the UK and Europe.
“It has been fantastic to meet the founders in Tokyo and see first-hand the quality and ambition of the innovations coming out of Japan,” commented Dr Valentina Vitiello, Head of Clinical Translation and Governance at LIHE. “We’re excited to work closely with each company over the coming months, combining LIHE’s expertise in clinical translation, regulation and NHS market access with our wider network of clinicians, researchers and industry partners to help turn international ambitions into real opportunities.”