4th Forum of Japan MPS Initiative 【Saitama Prefecture】

Forum Theme

Accelerating the Social Implementation of MPS Through Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration
—Advancements in Devices, Ensuring Reliability, and Applications in Drug Development—

Event Information

• Official Event Name: 4th Forum of Japan MPS Initiative
• Date & Time: January 8, 2027 (Friday), 10:00 AM–5:45 PM (check-in from 9:30 AM)
• Venue: Sonic City (Omiya, Saitama, Japan)
• Registration & Lectures: Small Hall, 2nd floor, Sonic City Hall Building
• Posters, Exhibits & Workshops: Exhibition Hall 1, basement level 1, Sonic City Building
• Format: In person
• Organizer: Japan MPS Initiative (co-hosted with CSAHi-MPS)
• Representative: Seiichi Ishida (Sojo University / National Institute of Health Sciences)

Purpose

As microphysiological systems (MPS) and other new approach methodologies (NAMs) gain attention in drug development and evaluation, ensuring scientific validity, reproducibility, and fitness for the intended use is increasingly important. The forum brings together academia, industry, and regulatory stakeholders to discuss technological advances, practical applications, and the reliability needed to support broader implementation of MPS.

Key Topics

• Advancing next-generation MPS models: Technologies for reproducing disease conditions and connecting multiple organ models
• Applications in drug development and improved human predictivity: Practical approaches to efficacy and safety evaluation and decision-making
• Enabling technologies and reliability: Integration with mathematical models, automation, inter-laboratory reproducibility, and quality management

Program

Detailed lecture program: Under preparation on the official website. The forum is scheduled to include lectures, poster presentations, corporate exhibits, and hands-on workshops. See the official English overview (Program section). Further updates may also appear on the Japanese program page.

Poster Presentations & Abstract Submission

• Abstract Submission Period: October 1–November 20, 2026
• Poster Session: January 8, 2027, 1:00–3:45 PM
• Location: Exhibition Hall 1 (B1, Sonic City Building)
• Poster Size: A0 portrait (84.1 × 118.9 cm)
• Languages: Japanese or English
• Submission: Prepare an abstract using the official template and send it in Word (.docx) format to the secretariat

Note: Membership in the Japan MPS Initiative and forum registration are required before abstract submission. See the official poster submission instructions (Japanese).

Corporate Exhibits & Hands-on Workshops

• Exhibitor Registration Period: October 1–November 20, 2026
• Exhibition & Workshop Hours: January 8, 2027, 1:00–3:45 PM
• Location: Exhibition Hall 1 (B1, Sonic City Building)
• Exhibition Fee: Free
• Cooperating Groups: CSAHi-MPS and the Shonan Meeting group focusing on international bioimaging facilities

Note: Although exhibiting is free, everyone entering the venue—including exhibit staff—must register for the forum and pay the applicable participation fee (free for students). See the official exhibitor guidelines (Japanese).

Registration & Fees

• Registration Period: October 1–December 18, 2026
• Participation Fee: General: JPY 5,000 / Students: Free
• Before Registering: Join the Japan MPS Initiative (no enrollment fee or annual membership fee) and register for the forum
• How to Register: Use the English registration form (Word .docx), or the Japanese online registration form. Follow the instructions on the official English page
• Admission Pass: A PDF will be emailed no later than one week before the event; print it on A4 paper and bring it to the venue

Note: Registration may close early if capacity is reached. See the official registration instructions (English). An online registration form (Japanese) is also available.

Networking Reception

• Date & Time: January 8, 2027 (Friday), 6:00–8:00 PM
• Venue: Civic Hall, 4th floor, Sonic City Building
• Fee: General: JPY 8,000 / Students: JPY 3,000

Venue & Access

• Nearest Station: Approximately 3 minutes on foot from the West Exit of JR Omiya Station
• Small Hall (Hall Building): 1-7-2 Sakuragi-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama 330-0854, Japan
• Exhibition Hall 1 & Civic Hall (Sonic City Building): 1-7-5 Sakuragi-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama 330-8669, Japan

The lecture hall and the exhibition/reception venues are in different buildings. Check the Sonic City access guide (Japanese) and the official forum access page (Japanese) before your visit.

Official Websites

English-language official pages are listed first. Where official English guidance is unavailable, the Japanese source is clearly labeled.

• Official Event Page (English)
• Japan MPS Initiative (English)
• Registration Instructions (English)
• Official Event Homepage (Japanese)
• Purpose of the Forum (Japanese)
• Event Overview (Japanese)
• Program (Japanese)
• Online Registration (Japanese)
• Poster Presentations & Abstract Submission (Japanese)
• Corporate Exhibits & Hands-on Workshops (Japanese)
• Sonic City Official Website (Japanese)