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).
Tomohiko Goto
TAIYO Pharma Co.,Ltd CMC Solutions Dept. Manager
Main specialty areas
- medicines
Specialized support fields
- Etc
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.

Atsushi Shimada
Chief Technology Development Officer ・ Specially Appointed Professor, Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization
AN Venture Partners, Venture Partner
Patent attorney
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Specialized support fields
- Etc
Atsushi Shimada is a Specially Appointed Professor and Chief Technology Development Officer (CTDO) at Tohoku University, where he leads initiatives to accelerate the commercialization of academic innovations and the creation of university spinout companies. He also serves as a Venture Partner to AN Venture Partners, a cross-border life sciences venture capital firm investing in innovative biotechnology companies. Prior to joining Tohoku University, Mr. Shimada held leadership positions in intellectual property, business development, and corporate strategy at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Bayer. He subsequently became a life sciences investor, supporting the formation, financing, and growth of early-stage biotechnology startups. Throughout his career, he has led numerous strategic licensing transactions, M&A projects, technology transfer initiatives, venture investments, and intellectual property strategies across a broad range of therapeutic areas. As a registered Japanese Patent Attorney, Mr. Shimada combines scientific expertise with extensive experience in intellectual property, venture capital, and pharmaceutical business development. He has worked closely with researchers, entrepreneurs, pharmaceutical companies, universities, and investors to translate cutting-edge scientific discoveries into successful commercial ventures. As a MEDISO Startup Support Mentor, Mr. Shimada provides practical guidance on startup formation, business strategy, intellectual property, licensing, fundraising, and global commercialization. Drawing on his unique perspective as both a technology commercialization executive and venture investor, he is committed to helping researchers and entrepreneurs build globally competitive life sciences startups and maximize the societal impact of their innovations.

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.

Yoshinori Shinoki
Pharma Initiative Support LLC
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Business operation systems
He graduated from the Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, and is a licensed pharmacist. At Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Eli Lilly Japan K.K., after taking charge of clinical development, business planning, etc., he acquired experience in planning and implementing various clinical development plans as a project leader for newly developed items in the project management department. In addition, he led NHI price negotiation strategy, post-marketing clinical startegy, and market planning. After that, he built up clinical development department at Global CRO. he also led the planning of the clinical development for Japan for small and biological products, as well as negotiating with regulatory authorities. Recently, in addition to medicines, he also led the development of clinical development strategies of medical devices and the products of regenerative medicine (gene therapy products and cell/tissue processed products).

Satoshi Ogawa
TMI Associates Partner (Attorney)
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Specialized support fields
- Etc
Satoshi Ogawa, Ph.D., is a partner at TMI Associates specializing in life sciences and healthcare. After earning his Ph.D. in Life Sciences from Kyoto University, he joined TMI Associates as an attorney. Following a three-year secondment at a law firm in New Delhi, India, he has been based at TMI’s Kyoto Office since 2019. Dr. Ogawa advises both Japanese and international clients on cutting-edge technologies, including regenerative medicine, digital health, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. His work covers startup support, patent licensing, industry–academia collaboration, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property disputes. He works extensively with universities, startups, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, venture capital firms, and public institutions. He also serves as an advisor to BioCommunity Kansai (BiocK) and HVC KYOTO, and contributes to conflict-of-interest (COI) committees and institutional review boards (IRBs). Dr. Ogawa is passionate about advancing innovation and helping clients navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges in the life science ecosystem. His publications include “Startup Intellectual Property and Legal Guidebook – Key Points for Early-Stage Bio and Life Science Ventures” (METI-Kansai) and “Healthcare Business Legal Consultation Handbook” (Chuokeizai-sha).

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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