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

Yasuhisa Matsukawa

Taku Seriu

Seriu Medical Consulting Ltd. CEO
APCER Life Sciences. Senior Advisor to the Board
The Institute of Drug Development Career Promotion. Representative Director

A physician and Doctor of Medical Science, he began his career as an internist before leading clinical leukemia research at the Universities of Ulm and Heidelberg in Germany. After returning to Japan, he took on leadership roles including Head of Clinical Development at Nihon Schering, Executive Officer at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Executive Vice President and Board Member at Otsuka Pharmaceutical, where he oversaw drug development, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and quality assurance.
He has led the development, approval, and post-marketing activities of more than 50 therapeutics and diagnostics across oncology, neuroscience, cardiovascular and renal diseases, infectious diseases, and rare diseases, contributing to global launches and appropriate-use initiatives.
He currently serves as President of Seriu Medical Consulting and Senior Advisor at APCER Life Sciences, supporting R&D strategy, safety and risk management, organizational development, and new business planning. He also advises startups on development strategy, TPP creation, and fundraising pitch preparation, and has a strong track record in post-acquisition organizational integration, aligning cultures, talent, and processes. He teaches pharmaceutical medicine at several universities and is an editor and contributing author of Introduction to Pharmaceutical Medicine, the first textbook of its kind published in Japan. He continues to practice clinical medicine and remains committed to supporting those driving pharmaceutical innovation in Japan, guided by the principle: “Learn Together, Grow Together.”

Hikaru Saito

Saisei Ventures LLC Partner

As a partner of Saisei Ventures, a newly established global venture capital firm that invests in advanced biotech companies in cell and gene therapy, Dr. Saito is responsible for Japan operations including company creation, integrating Japanese science and technology with the Western ecosystem. Prior to joining Saisei, he started career as a research scientist at Astellas Pharma Inc. and then as a Senior Manager of Business Development and as a Senior Investment Manager at Astellas Venture Management, a CVC arm based in Silicon Valley, USA, where he was a lead role for deal process, due diligence and transactions for venture investments in RNA therapeutics, cell and gene therapy. He was providing business support to portfolio companies based on the expertise, experience, and global network. He also led the development of strategic partnerships with venture capital funds, accelerators, and institutional investors based in the U.S. and Europe. Prior to joining Astellas, he was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, and a Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He received his B.S. in Biotechnology and M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomolecular Molecularl Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Eiichi Yamaguchi

Eiichi Yamaguchi, Ph.D. President A1 Partners

Ph.D from Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kyushu University. Currently engaged in management and business development consulting for pharmaceutical companies, biotech ventures, and consulting firms. Over 20 years expertise of business development at Shionogi Co., Ltd., a major pharmaceutical company as well as bioventure companies. Senior Director, Business Development & Corporate Planning Dept., Shionogi. A lot of global business experience such as the first Managing Director, Shionogi Singapore, Vice President, Shionogi Qualicaps, Inc., North Carolina, and Shionogi New York. Board of Director & President & COO, a bioventure company. The first chairman, Japan Pharma Alliance Association. The Vice Chairman, Public Private Alliance Conference associated with Infectious diseases led by Dr. Shigeru Omi. Also engaged in Director, International Committee, JPMA. Last but not least, selected as Mentor for Blockbuster Tokyo 2021

Ruka Takeuchi

Discovery Biotech Consulting　　Representative
PARKS　Commercialization Producer

I have been engaged in marketing and business development for more than 30 years in the life science market, mainly in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, both in Japan and overseas. Currently, I have established my own consulting firm and provide business consulting services to foreign and domestic companies from start-ups to small and medium-sized enterprises. I would be happy to be of service to you by drawing on my past business experience as well as my daily experience in providing hands-on support to various companies and projects.