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

Nao Yoshizawa

GRiT Partners　Law offices/Willsame.co.ltd/Cabinet office advisor for National bioecnomy strategy/Keio university Medical school

After leaving the law firm Nishimura Asahi, [the individual] established the law firm GRiT Partners and assumed the role of managing partner. They also serve as the representative of Willsame Corporation and hold qualifications as a lawyer, patent attorney, CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), Applied Information Technology Engineer, Information Processing Security Support Engineer, and IT Strategist. They have served as a committee member for the formulation of standards in electronic commerce and related information transactions at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as an expert in the Cabinet Office's bioecnomy strategy, and as an advisor to Biock. They have been involved in the establishment of the Japan Chapter of Aging2.0 in Silicon Valley and served as a mentor for Alchemist Accelerator. A graduate of the law faculty at Hitotsubashi University, they completed intellectual property and machine learning programs at Stanford University, as well as multiple AI programs at MIT. They serve as a program committee member for the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tokyo and the Medical Innovation Human Resources Development Course at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. With a deep understanding of international perspectives on digital health, they provide advisory support for startups and pharmaceutical companies' DX (Digital Transformation) programs. They founded the Life Science Incubation Council and focus on launching projects and connecting them with ecosystems both domestically and internationally.

Hidehiro Ando

President & Representative, Andy Pharma Partners Inc.

He graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo. He joined Tanabe Pharma Corporation (present Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation). After being assigned to the research department of pharmacokinetics, he was involved in partnership-related business of international development department, research and development planning department, etc., including establishment of a joint venture with overseas companies. Subsequently, he worked in the technology transfer department of RIKEN (Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), a regenerative medicine venture, Bayer Yakuhin, a drug discovery venture, and he established a personal office. He has engaged in business development and licensing work for 40 years, and now, based on his experience and networks, he is supporting business development activities, such as licensing agreements and joint research of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies/ventures. He provides comprehensive support services ranging from looking for appropriate partners, preparing the draft of contract outline, contract negotiation, and alliance management with partners after the partnership agreement. Especially, based on experience of practicing on both sides of venture and pharmaceutical companies, he keeps in mind providing informative advice and proposals for specific action plans.

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.

Yutaka Kono

Guest professor
Drug Discovery Science Division,Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University

Tomohiko Goto

TAIYO Pharma Co.,Ltd CMC Solutions Dept. Manager

Having extensive experience and achievements in formulation development, new drug application processes, investigational drug formulation development, support for overseas clinical trials, plant construction and GMP acquisition through long years at a pharmaceutical company, and more recently, engaging in CMC activities for investigational drug development and clinical trial advancement at a medical bio-venture company within Shonan i-Park(Kanagawa,Japan), I hope to contribute as a part-time CMC supporter for MEDISO. I am passionate about supporting the swift delivery of unmet need pharmaceuticals developed by domestic and international medical pharmaceutical venture companies to patients. Among many support areas, if I can contribute my specialized and niche knowledge in the CMC field (particularly in formulation development) to address challenges in cutting-edge bio-venture research worldwide through the MEDISO project, and support quicker entry into clinical trials, it would be most gratifying.