• Health

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Partners with Plug and Play Japan

MCHG

TOKYO, Japan Jun. 29, 2022 – The global innovation platform Plug and Play Japan KK (hereafter “Plug and Play Japan”) and Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group (hereafter “MCHG”) announced today a new startup challenge called the “TANAMIN Digital Health Challenge - creating hope for all facing illness.”

In this challenge, Plug and Play Japan and MCHG will accept submissions from digital health startups proposing cutting-edge technology solutions to improve the well-being of ALS patients and their families, digitalize Decentralized Clinical Trial, or increase preventative vaccinations in Japan. Finalists of the challenge will be offered an opportunity to pursue a paid proof of concept with MCHG, opening a potential long-term partnership with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, the pharmaceutical arm of MCHG.

MCHG's corporate venture capital, or CVC, team, consisting of the Venture Department in Japan and Diamond Edge Ventures in the U.S., will explore the possibility of equity investments in the finalists. This initiative will support MCHG’s new management policy of "forging the future," released by MCHG’s President and CEO Jean-Marc Gilson in December 2021.

This is the second instantiation of MCHG’s corporate partnership program following the successful KAITEKI challenge held last year. Through the partnership in this Challenge, MCHG will gain access to Plug and Play Japan’s network of startups and their expertise in running startup-corporate partnership programs.

PROGRAM TITLE: TANAMIN Digital Health Challenge - creating hope for all facing illness

APPLICATION PERIOD: Jun. 29, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2022 (JST). Please refer to the special website on TANAMIN Digital Health Challenge for details.

https://tanamin-digital-health-challenge.net/

BENEFITS FOR STARTUPS:

  • Opportunities to conduct paid pilot studies, potentially leading to subsequent long-term partnerships with MCHG
  • Potential equity investment by the corporate venture capital arm of MCHG
  • Access to the Plug and Play network
  • 2.5m Yen grant funding* (without dilution)

*Additional grants will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

FOCUS AREAS:

Improve the well-being of ALS patients and their families

  • Aiming to increase the awareness to seek out specialists for early detection of ALS and improve the well-being of ALS patients and their loved ones, using digital technologies

Digitize Decentralized Clinical Trial, or DCT

  • Seeking digital technologies for general clinical trials (irrespective of the indication or therapeutic product) to replace or minimize nurse visits

Increase preventative vaccinations in Japan

  • Improving the coverage of voluntary vaccines in Japan by leveraging digital technologies

About Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group conducts its corporate activities and businesses worldwide in the domains of performance products, industrial materials, and health care based on the core values of sustainability, health, and comfort. The company builds stakeholder value while contributing to the sustainable well-being of people, society, and our planet.

Company Overview

Company: Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation

Founded: October 2005

Address: 1-1 Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8251

Representative: Representative Corporate Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Marc Gilson

Website: https://www.mitsubishichem-hd.co.jp/english/index.html

About Plug and Play Japan

Plug and Play Japan was established in 2017 as a subsidiary of Plug and Play, a global innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley. Our primary strength is to provide "consortium-type programs with our extensive global network" and support startups through “venture capital investment.” By working closely with 45+ official corporate partners, Plug and Play Japan supports Japanese and international startups to scale their businesses and enhance collaboration with industry-leading corporations.

Company Overview

Company: Plug and Play Japan KK

Founded: July 2017

Address: Shibuya Center Place 3F 1-16-3, Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Representative: Phillip Vincent

Website: http://japan.plugandplaytechcenter.com/

For inquiries regarding this press release

Plug and Play Japan KK

The person in charge: Chiyo Kamino

Phone: 050-5363-9267

Mail: press-japan@pnptc.com