UK and Japan deepen their science and technology partnership
UK and Japan deepen their science and technology partnership
Publish Date: 2026-02-03 06:36:00
Source Domain: www.openaccessgovernment.org
image: ©Oleksii Liskonih | iStock
The UK and Japan have just announced that they will strengthen their science and technology collaboration with a package of joint initiatives across life sciences, quantum technologies, and advanced connectivity
This new UK-Japan partnership shows that both countries have ambitions to drive economic growth and to strengthen and deliver real benefits for patients, researchers, and businesses in both countries.
The announcement was confirmed during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Japan.
Creating a boost for life science and gene therapy
A huge part of the package is the new investment in the UK’s life sciences sector. Orchard Therapeutics, the UK subsidiary of Japanese pharmaceutical company Kyowa Kirin, plans to invest around £11 million in the UK, subject to final agreements under the government’s Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund.
This investment will support the research and development of advanced gene therapies to treat severe and rare genetic diseases. It also strengthens the UK’s position as a global hub for cell and gene therapy, a sector that already includes more than 90 advanced therapy companies.
The funding builds on the success of treatments already developed in the UK, including life-saving therapies for rare childhood neurological conditions.
Alongside improving patient outcomes, the investment is expected to support high-skilled jobs and further R&D activity across the life sciences ecosystem.
Genomics collaboration for rare disease screening
The UK and Japan are also advancing collaboration in genomics through a new multi-year partnership between Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Japanese genetic testing provider Genesis Healthcare. The partnership will launch a national rare disease genomics pilot in Japan, scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.
Using next-generation nanopore sequencing technology, the pilot aims to streamline multiple diagnostic tests…
