A comprehensive portal site for Medical Innovation Support Office (MEDISO).Medical Innovation Support Office

Hirokazu Yamaguchi

Yuki Yamakage

Representative Director, Takashi Shimada Office Co., Ltd.
Managing Partner, BD Consulting Ltd.

I have experience working for a global medical device company in insurance strategy development and insurance applications for products in a wide range of medical specialties and disease areas, as well as market access work (relevant academic societies, patient groups, government agencies and industry associations). I have now set up my own private practice and provide support to medical device and pharmaceutical companies and new entrants in terms of healthcare and care systems and insurance strategies. I have experience in the insurance application category (C1/C2 applications) for innovative medical devices. I also have a lot of experience in training employees and conducting seminars, most recently on SaMD insurance applications. My motto is to provide consulting services that address the concerns of my clients after explaining information on insurance applications for medical devices in a way that is easy to understand for beginners.

Shunichi Takahashi

Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd.

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.

Tomokazu Ichikawa

Director, TM Research and Investments Pte. Ltd.

Leveraged cross-functional expertise in business strategy and legal to work on strategy development, M&A, and investments in the medical device sector. Practiced law at Nagashima, Ohno and Tsunematsu, handling M&A and other corporate matters. Worked for McKinsey & Company and Hoya Corporation. Completed several acquisitions and investments in the US and Europe in the medical device business. Experienced managing a healthcare service operator in India. Currently, helping AI Medical Service, an artificial intelligence software startup for endoscope and CUC, a healthcare service provision related company. Spent more than 10 years in Singapore and familiar with business in Southeast Asian countries. Graduated from Waseda University, London Business School's Masters in Finance, and Cambridge's MBA. Attorney at law admitted in Japan.

Tsutomu Hoshiba

Kievit Scientific LLC President

For over 30 years, I've established and managed Japanese life science companies in the US and Europe. In 2021, I founded Kievit Scientific in Philadelphia, utilizing my Western-acquired experience, up-to-date information, and network. I assist Japanese companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and chemical sectors in their international expansion, from strategic planning to product development and market entry. Harnessing my understanding of different cultures and wide-ranging scientific knowledge, I provide solutions to challenges faced by Japanese academia and startups in their global ventures, with the aim of supporting as many Japanese companies as possible to succeed overseas. Furthermore, through these endeavors, I promote the widespread adoption of innovative medical technologies, striving to realize a society where the benefits are extended to many.