A comprehensive portal site for Medical Innovation Support Office (MEDISO).
Knowledgeable experts support
the practical application of medicines,
medical devices,
and regenerative medicinal products.
What is MEDISO
MEDISO provides support for business ventures, academia,
and individuals intending to put into practical use medicines,
medical devices, and regenerative medicinal products.
Click here for further details.
About the Medical Innovation Support Office
The medical innovation support office matches medical venture companies and academic institutions facing challenges in the practical application of medical products and devices for specialists* who provide detailed consultation and support for solving problems at each stage from research and development to practical use, as well as insurance coverage at clinical sites, while looking ahead to the overall comprehensive advances and dissemination into the global market.
* Specialists in each field provide support for the response to laws and regulations, marketing, business planning, fund rasing, management strategy, intellectual property management, and international development, etc.
This website is operated by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc., as a trustee under instructions from the Economic Affairs Division, Health Policy Bureau, and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a part of the total support for the medical ventures program sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Support targets
Ventures, academic institutions, and individuals aiming to put into practical use the medicines, medical devices, regenerative medicinal products, and novel drug-discovery technologies or medical materials subject to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Law.
Details of support
MEDISO provides support for the practical application of medicines, medical devices, regenerative medicinal products, and other products subject to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Law.
That support includes business planning, financing, advice on laws and regulations, and other assistance as required.
- ●Support method：We provide support via online meeting or e-mail.
- ●Support source：Support is provided in cooperation with experts in R&D, consultants in pharmaceutical affairs, and experts from related organizations including the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
- ●Remarks：Consultation and support services are free of charge.
Click here for inquiriesIn case the link does not work, please contact us at the email address below
mediso@ml.mri.co.jp
Specialists Introduction
We will introduce registered specialists
(updated as necessary).
Shunichi Takahashi
Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd.
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
After joining Mitsui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., he worked at Nihon Schering K.K., Berlex Biosciences (a US subsidiary of Schering AG). In 2007, he joined Bayer due to management integration. Over the past 15 years, he was in charge of exploring new projects and verifying concepts in drug discovery research, especially in the areas of cardiovascular systems, immunity, stem cell research, etc. Subsequently, he was in charge of the project management cardiovascular system area manager of development headquarters, the primary care manager of the medical affairs headquarters, and he has been in his current role since 2014 (Open Innovation Center director). He leads strategic partnerships and joint research with Japanese academies and venture companies. He is also verifying new pharmaceutical business models that take advantage of big data, AI, IoT, and others. In 2018, he launched the first venture incubation facility (CoLaboraotor Kobe) as a foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical company and is focusing on fostering ecosystems.
Kunishige Masui
Managing Partner
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Funding
- Specialized support fields
Graduated from Kyoto University Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo Law School, and University of California, Irvine LLM. 2014 - 2021 at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu; 2020 - 2021 at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP （US law firm）. Established Masui & Partners in December 2021. Mr. Kunishige Masui assisted numerous startups, from angel rounds to companies nearing IPO, and has also assisted in the launch of many new businesses, including cross-border localization. He is well versed in the legal and financing issues that arise for startups and new business development, and provides support as a mentor for JETRO, Healthcare Innovation Hub, Kawasaki-NEDO Innovation Center （K-NIC）, Venture Café Tokyo, and IDEC. In addition to providing easy-to-understand explanations of foreign legal systems in comparison to those in Japan, he also specializes in removing obstacles to business growth by not only providing answers to "points that clients have actually consulted with" but also by digging into "points that need attention that clients are not yet aware of.”
Tomoyo Mori
Fast Track Initiative, Inc. Capitalist
Main specialty areas
- medical devices
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Etc
Tomoyo obtained her medical license and began her career by engaging in training and clinical practice in medically underserved areas. She then joined the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, where she treated patients with heart failure, heart transplants, and myocardial infarctions. At the university hospital, she also participated in clinical trials for medical device startups. In parallel with her clinical work, she was involved in domestic and international business development for medical device startups and led a team while participating in U.S.-based MedTech accelerators (MedTech Innovator, Fogarty Innovation). She holds an MBA from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and is a board-certified internist by the Japanese Medical Specialty Board as well as a certified occupational physician by the Japan Medical Association. Currently, she is part of Fast Track Initiative, where she focuses on investment, company creation, and business development for medical device startups.
Hitoshi Fujimaki
TMI Associates Attorney-at-law (admitted in Japan and New York)
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Etc
Joined TMI Associates in 2016. Completed an LL.M. in National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center in 2023, earning the Food & Drug Law Certificate. Admitted to the New York State Bar in 2024. The practice focuses on pharmaceutical, medical device, and healthcare regulatory matters in both Japan and the United States, with extensive experience supporting R&D and commercial operations of Japanese companies domestically and abroad. Work includes licensing and collaboration agreements with overseas partners, joint research and development arrangements, CRO agreements, GCP compliance during clinical trials, promotional review, regulatory assessments (including medical-device classification), authority inspections, and broad advisories on pharmaceutical and medical-device regulations. Also advises on U.S. healthcare compliance issues, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Sunshine Act, and related federal and state requirements. Author of Introduction to U.S. FDA Drug and Medical Device Law and Regulation (Shojihomu, September 2024).
Masakatsu Noguchi
SMILE CURVE, Inc.
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Business operation systems
Ph.D. in life sciences. Worked at consulting firm Dream Incubator, consulting in industry-academia collaboration, business support for tech startups (bio, semiconductor, environmental energy), new business development for large corporations, and overseeing government mega-projects. Previously employed at Abbott Japan and Singapore, managing product marketing for diagnostic tests, pharmaceuticals (women's health), and Asia-Pacific marketing for medical IT. As Business Development Director at Sanamedi, facilitated the commercialization of new medical devices, handled regulatory applications and market launches, and supported investments in and assistance to startups. Additionally served as an evaluator for AMED, and as a mentor for NEDO and university accelerator programs. Currently working independently, he serves as a specially appointed associate professor in the Hiroshima University and as an strategic advisor of MEJ.
Introduction of measures implemented by public institutions
We will describe the measures from public institutions for pharmaceutical companies,
medical device companies, companies manufacturing regenerative medicinal products, and venture companies.
- The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare／
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)／
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)／
- Cabinet Office／
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry／
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications／
- Small and Medium Enterprise Agency／
- Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan／
- Union of Kansai Governments／
- New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)／
- Life Science Innovation Network Japan, Inc. (LINK-J)／
- Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)／
- Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)／
- INCJ, Ltd.／
- Osaka Prefecture／
- Tokyo Metropolis／
- Kanagawa Prefecture／
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN)
