Singapore: Germany Trade & Invest and the Health-Made in Germany initiative will join forces at this year's BioJapan 2012 from October 10-12. Representatives from German and Japanese biotechnology companies, Germany's renowned Fraunhofer Insitute, and Germany Trade & Invest, will outline business opportunities for Japanese executives in the pharmaceutical and diagnostic fields.

"With world-class pharmaceutical industries and cutting-edge research, Germany and Japan are natural partners. Both countries are also facing the same challenges that come with aging societies. The conditions are just right to intensify cooperation in order to share costs and speed market entry," stated Mr Iwami Asakawa, Germany Trade & Invest representative in Tokyo.

Germany features over 550 dedicated biotechnology companies. Nearly half of these companies develop new drugs or diagnostic methods in the areas of human and animal medicine.

"In both countries, patent protection for several pharmaceuticals is running out. There is a need for innovation, and small and medium-sized companies have an excellent chance to work with established players. We see this as a tremendous opportunity for innovative biotechnology companies," comments Dr Gabriel Flemming, medical biotechnology expert at Germany Trade & Invest in Berlin.

Health-Made in Germany is an initiative to create win-win situations for global partners and German health care companies. Supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and carried out by Germany Trade & Invest, the initiative allows companies, federal clusters, and professional associations to benefit from business opportunities in the healthcare field.