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Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem

Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem

Funds Japanese pharmaceutical startups from preclinical to phase two growth with venture-collaborative backing.

OpenAMED (Japan Agency for Medical R&D)Japan

The Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem is an AMED subsidy program that supports pharmaceutical startups carrying out practical drug development β€” covering non-clinical studies, Phase 1 trials, Phase 2 trials, and exploratory clinical trials β€” where a registered venture capital firm invests more than one-third of the total expenses covered by the subsidy. The program was est…

Vaccines, therapeutics, and drug discovery technologies across all disease areas (expanded from infectious disease only in October 2022).

CycleiHow often this grant runs β€” e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.β€”
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.β€”
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.β€”
Award typeiThe form of funding β€” grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.33%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.β€”

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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: www.amed.go.jp