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

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.

Tomokatsu Hongo

Keio Innovation Initiative, Inc
Corporate Officer

Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from Nagoya University. At Summit Pharmaceuticals International Corporation, I was engaged in VC fund management, investment and sales support for bio-ventures, and domestic sales agency business for overseas bio-ventures. In 2016, I joined Keio Innovation Initiative (KII) as an investment manager in the medical and health field. I have been investing in drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and medical device ventures by leveraging his business experience in the pharmaceutical industry and career as a researcher, and providing a wide range of hands-on support, not only in terms of funding, but also in business development.

Hirohumi Shido

I am a UI/UX design expert and specialize in driving product development. As a product manager at a medical startup, he was in charge of renewal and new planning for multiple SaMD products. My experience ranges from planning to obtaining regulatory approval, and I have won a Good Design Award for a healthcare product. These experiences have made me realize the importance of experience design and usability in SaMD products with a diverse mix of stakeholders.

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.

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.”