The City of Kobe launched the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC) as a recovery project to rebuild
the economy of Kobe, which was severely damaged by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that occurred
on January 17,1995. Since 1998, the City of Kobe has been endeavoring to develop an R&D hub for
advanced bio-medical technology on Port Island, an artificial island, and through collaboration with
industries, universities and medical institutions. To date, it has grown to become Japan's largest
biomedical cluster with a concentration of cutting-edge research institutes, highly specialized hospitals,
bio-medical and healthcare -related companies and universities. ■A concentration of more than 300 companies and organizations
・Research institutes, hospitals, and companies concentrated in a compact area; collaboration among them creates innovation
・A concentration of CROs, CMOs, and animal breeding and experimentation facilities responding to a variety of research and development
needs
・The Translational Research Informatics Center (TRI) supports clinical research; the medical cluster with eight highly specialized hospital
offers an excellent environment for clinical research
■Total support system
・Extensive support services for startups including a variety of incubation facilities and acceleration programs
・Kobe City staff, together with dedicated coordinators, provide support for commercialization,business expansion and matchmaking
・Strategic consultation on pharmaceutical affairs by PMDA is available