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

Katsuhiro Fukunishi

Kumi Sakurai

早稲田大学大学院理工学研究科で生体工学を専攻後、慶應義塾大学病院で10年以上にわたり血液研究に従事。その後、外資系医療機器メーカーであるベックマンコールター（2005年～）、日本メドトロニック（2007年～）、セントジュードメディカル（現アボットメディカル、2015年～）のマーケティング部門にて、医療機器の市場導入や事業戦略を担当。2019年、医療機器・ヘルスケア機器の開発支援を専門とするインキュベーター、プレモパートナー株式会社を共同創業。研究者・スタートアップ・大企業を対象に、事業戦略策定から薬事・保険償還・上市までを一気通貫で支援し、国内外のネットワークを活かして医療機器の事業化を推進している。
文部科学省　科学技術・学術審議会専門委員、東京都AMDAPカタライザー
早稲田大学大学院修了（工学修士）。金沢工業大学大学院修了（MBA）

After earning a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Waseda University, Kumi Sakurai engaged in over ten years of hematology research at Keio University Hospital. She then transitioned to the medical device industry, joining Beckman Coulter in 2005, Medtronic Japan in 2007, and St. Jude Medical (now Abbott Medical) in 2015, where she worked in marketing and business strategy for innovative medical technologies. In 2019, she co-founded Premo Partners Inc., an incubator specializing in the development and commercialization of medical and healthcare devices. Premo Partners supports researchers, startups, and large corporations throughout the entire innovation process—from business strategy formulation, market analysis, and regulatory and reimbursement planning to commercialization. Leveraging extensive domestic and international networks, the company provides end-to-end support to accelerate the delivery of essential medical technologies to patients and healthcare professionals. Through its comprehensive expertise in regulatory pathways, evidence generation, and global market access, Premo Partners plays a vital role in fostering Japan’s MedTech ecosystem and bridging it with the global healthcare innovation community.

Yutaka Kono

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

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.

Hitoshi Takuma