Wilson Sonsini is pleased to host the Yokohama LINK-J Life Science Lounge NYC Meetup 2026 – Bridging the U.S. and Japan Life Science Ecosystems. The Yokohama LINK-J Life Science Lounge is a hub established in New York through the collaboration between the City of Yokohama Representative Office to the Americas and LINK-J, with the aim of strengthening connections and fostering collaboration in the life science sector between the United States and Japan. The Lounge serves both as an information platform providing insights into the U.S. life science and business landscape, and as a networking hub that connects companies, research institutions, and industry experts, thereby promoting cross-border ecosystem collaboration and open innovation.

This event is organized to coincide with the BIO International Convention in San Diego, leveraging the opportunity that key stakeholders from Japan's life science ecosystem — including LINK-J members, startups, universities, and research institutions — will be visiting the United States and gathering in New York City. Bringing together these Japanese stakeholders with New York-based investors, companies, and ecosystem partners, the event aims to create meaningful connections and unlock new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and business development between the two markets.

The event will feature a keynote presentation by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), followed by two panel discussions focused on "Japan to U.S." and "U.S. to Japan" expansion, as well as a networking session.

Participants across the life science ecosystem, including investors seeking opportunities to invest in or partner with Japanese life science startups, corporates and organizations interested in collaboration with Japanese innovators, accelerators, consultants, and ecosystem partners supporting the U.S. expansion of Japanese startups, researchers and institutions interested in exploring technologies and collaborative research opportunities from Japanese universities and research organizations, and anyone interested in cross-border innovation, investment, and business opportunities between the U.S. and Japan life science ecosystems.

The event has been organized with the City of Yokohama and LINK-J, with support from NINE JP and the NYCEDC.