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

Kenji Harada

Director & Chief Venture Capitalist, Medical Incubator Japan K.K

He graduated with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tokyo, and is an immunologist by training. He is also a licensed pharmacist and a licensed first-class radiation supervisor. After obtaining his doctorate, he performed a wide range of tasks from basic research to preclinical research as a team leader at Toray Basic Research Laboratories (currently Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories), during which he was developing anti-inflammatory and central nervous system drugs. Subsequently, he was involved in planning and promoting collaborative research with universities and making assessments of platform technologies and drug candidates of American and European biotech startup companies from the technological and intellectual aspects. Furthermore, he conducted GMP inspections in pharmaceutical products and medical device areas multiple times. After starting his career as a venture capitalist, he consistently invested in the biotech sector in the U.S. and Japan. He served as a board member in some of the investees of the U.S. and Japan. Since August 2020, He has expanded his investments into European countries at his current company. He is also engaged in several Japanese governmental projects supporting Japanese startups and research projects.

Rou Irisawa

IRISAWA Consulting LLC

Worked at Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for 27 years, primarily in antibody drug research and development, CMC regulatory affairs, and quality assurance, from preclinical trials stage to BLA stage. Involved in the BLA of Japan, US and EU approval for the CTD-Q of Actemra, Japan's original first antibody drug. And also involved in Japan BLA for several biologics Genentech original. Since 2017, involved in the development of many new modalities, including three SAKIGAKE designated cell products, and participated in 21 times PMDA consultations responsible for CMC regulatory and QA for cell products and gene therapy products. In 2023, became independent as a CMC regulatory consultant. Author of ""CMC Pharmaceutical Design - CMC Pharmaceutical Strategy in the Era of New Modality Pharmaceuticals"" (Yakuji Nipposha, 2022), and is the overall supervisor of the Japanese translation of A-CELL (CMC Development Guidance for CAR-T). Fellow at Tama University's Medical Care Solutions Research Institute, and a top performer in the regular course of Pharmaceutical Evaluation Science at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2024. Certified in generative AI skills (November 2025).　Currently involved in various projects, including serving as CMC lecturer at seminars on how to proceed with the development of CMC for antibody drugs, cell products, gene therapy products, etc　for small company to semi-major company.

Masakatsu Noguchi

SMILE CURVE, Inc.

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.

Teppei Konishi

Biomy Inc. CEO

He completed his graduate studies at the Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University. At NTT DOCOMO, he specialized in big data analysis and AI-driven video analysis research, contributing to new business development. After leaving NTT DOCOMO, he served as CTO at an IT venture before founding Biomy Co., Ltd. There, he led the development of a personalized medical platform utilizing AI technology, collaborating with domestic and international pharmaceutical companies and research institutions. He also secured a Class II medical device manufacturing and sales license.

Masaho Ishino

After engaging in medical research for 25 years, I became a patent attorney (JAPAN). Over the next 20 years, I have supported medical researchers in creating intellectual property and planning research strategies, as well as engaged in contract practice and technology transfer of university IP. Intellectual property strategies for regenerative medicine and other new modalities require not only a high level of expertise in both cutting-edge medical research and intellectual property rights, but also comprehensive knowledge covering clinical development and regulations. Utilizing my experience of contributing to the development research and practical application of university-originated seeds as a representative of an institution responsible for the AMED's Project of Translational and Clinical Research Core Centers and an organizer of nationwide academia intellectual property networks, I aim to contribute to raising the potential of intellectual property of academia/venture.