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.
In 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).
Kazufumi Nakamura
Mitsui & Co. Global Investment, Inc. Investment Director
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Etc
Kazufumi Nakamura is an Investment Director focused on the investment in biotech in US and China. By leveraging his experiences and networks in Pharma, Biotech and Academia, he connects companies to those experts to expand business and gain scientific insight to help the companies succeed with their important missions.
Kazufumi has over 20 years of healthcare and life sciences experience, spanning business development, investment, entrepreneurship and R&D. Prior to joining MGI, he co-founded a biotech to accelerate innovations through academic institutions in Japan. Previously, he engaged in business development and conducted scientific evaluation, and license-in and license-out of pharmaceutical products at Santen Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he was responsible for creating relationships with the leading academic institutions and innovators, gaining Santen early access to innovation. Prior to Santen, he held a number of clinical development roles at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, including the development of Alzheimer’s disease and Rheumatoid arthritis programs.

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.

Atsushi Usami
The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd. (UTEC)
Partner and Board Director
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Specialized support fields
He holds a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Tokyo and is a licensed pharmacist. Prior to joining UTEC in October 2013, he worked as a consultant at Mitsubishi Research Institute. Currently serving as a Partner and Board Director, he oversees venture investments and provides management support primarily in the life sciences sector for seed and early-stage startups. He has played a key role in investments in companies such as OriCiro Genomics, Inc. (acquired by Moderna, Inc.) and Repertoire Genesis, Inc. (acquired by Eurofins Scientific SE). In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Encouragement Award for Venture Capitalists at the 23rd Japan Venture Awards in 2023.

Yumi Kawata ,MD, PhD
Hedgehog MedTech, Inc.
Main specialty areas
- medical devices
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
She is Founder and CEO of Hedgehog MedTech, Inc, a start-up Digital Therapeutics (DTx) company. Previously, she was a manager with SoftBank Corp, where she evaluated new Healthcare & Life Science investment opportunities, managed relationships with strategic partners. Prior to SoftBank, she was a Government Relations specialist with Medley, Inc, where she built and maintained the relationships with Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Academia. She launched researches and POCs, contributing to the spread of telemedicine in Japan. She also served as a technical officer for MHLW. she was involved in the management of researches on Rare and Intractable diseases and Infectious Diseases.

Eiichi Yamaguchi
Eiichi Yamaguchi, Ph.D. President A1 Partners
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
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

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