STATE LEADS DELEGATION TO MEDICAL JAPAN TOKYO

Maryland is the first U.S. state to attend Tokyo’s medical show

 BALTIMORE, MD (October 24, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Commerce is leading a delegation of seven Maryland companies this week to Medical Japan, an international medical device and elderly care expo in Tokyo. This is the first year that Maryland – through Commerce’s Office of International Investment and Trade – has participated in Japan’s largest medical show, making it the first U.S. state to participate in the Tokyo trade show.

Maryland is hosting a 32 square-meter booth to demonstrate company products and services at the show, where it will promote the state’s biohealth and medical assets and assist the delegation with expanding into the global marketplace. Companies will also receive formal research and matchmaking assistance through Maryland’s global office in Japan, as well as the help of on-site interpreters at the expo. The medical show is held on a biannual basis—the Tokyo conference, which is a spinoff of the original Medical Japan Osaka held annually in February, attracted nearly 15,000 attendees in its inaugural debut last year.

“Since our trade mission to Asia in 2015, our relationship with Japan has continued to flourish across the biohealth, cybersecurity, and energy sectors,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “During this trip overseas, our administration is excited to see more Maryland companies build on our existing partnership and explore the global medical market.”

The seven Maryland companies traveling to Medical Japan are Aidar Health, the Pikesville company behind the hand-held device MouthLab, which captures patients’ vital signs in under 30 seconds; Integrated Pharma Services, an award-winning contract research organization in Frederick; Man & Machine, a global leader in waterproof and washable computer accessories located in Landover; MileMarker, a Baltimore mobile app developed by Johns Hopkins University leaders that works as a training and evaluation tool for medical residents; Otomagnetics, a University of Maryland, College Park spinout that is developing a non-invasive, magnetic injection delivery system in Bethesda; Renalert, a Baltimore startup that has developed a system to detect early-declines in kidney function to prevent acute kidney injury; and Surgisense, a Bethesda-based company specializing in smart-sensing devices to image tissue oxygen levels with broad medical applications.

“Medical Japan provides a great opportunity for our delegation to showcase themselves in front of an international audience,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “While overseas, our representatives will also meet with Maryland’s sister state – Kanagawa Prefecture, and Baltimore’s sister city – Kawasaki City, two partnerships that have thrived for approximately 40 years. We’re looking forward to catching up with our partners and connecting our local businesses with potential customers.”

Two members of the delegation, MileMarker and Otomagnetics, were both created with help from local universities. The companies, which are traveling overseas with Maryland Commerce for the first time, are looking forward to expanding their international presence and taking advantage of all the trade show has to offer.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the Maryland delegation to Tokyo at Medical Japan,” said Aimee Martin, CEO of MileMarker. “There are so many opportunities for MileMarker’s medical training software in Japan and the rest of the world. We look forward to connecting with customers at the show and in person.”

“We are excited to collaborate with the state of Maryland and are looking to attending the expo to expand our presence in Japan,” said Abhita Batra, CEO of Otomagnetics, Inc. “We want to explore the partnership opportunities that the Japanese healthcare market has to offer.”

Several of the companies attending Medical Japan were awarded ExportMD grants from Maryland Commerce. ExportMD grants are provided to small and mid-size companies on a monthly basis to assist with travel and marketing costs associated with international trade shows. The next application deadline for the program is November 1, 2019 and eligibility requirements can be found on our website. 

About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.