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

Kiyoaki Kojima

Partner

Kiyo advises clients in corporate formation, governance, and compliance matters; mergers and acquisitions; joint ventures; leasing and licensing matters; distribution and franchise arrangements; and a wide range of commercial transactions.An important part of Kiyo’s practice includes his work with international companies in relocating and/or establishing ventures in the U.S. He assists companies and investors with incentives and site selection; real estate acquisitions and construction agreements; corporate formation and governance; asset purchases and joint ventures; regulatory compliance; and contracts of all types to help ensure a seamless U.S. launch or transition.He also counsels clients in virtually all areas of labor and employment law, including drafting and/or interpretation of employment agreements, company policies, and handbooks; union-avoidance training; countering discrimination and harassment claims; hire, fire and discipline issues; and dispute resolution procedures. Active in the community, Kiyo is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, a board member of the Japan America Society of Georgia, and a board member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia. He also serves in “advisor” or “supporter” roles in various entities in Japan, such as InnoHub, MEDISO, and IDEC Yokohama.

Hiroyuki Hasegawa

Director of Life Science, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd.

He graduated with a master’s degree from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University. In 1994, he joined Daiichi Seiyaku Company (current Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited) and was in charge of the areas of infectious diseases and cancers in the Department of Post-marketing Surveillance. In 2004, he joined UFJ Capital Co., Ltd. (current Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd.), where he served as an analyst and capitalist. From 2013, he made an attempt to use open innovation for the Development of Emerging Technologies (OiDE) Fund for the purpose of nurturing outcomes from academia-launched research to become the fundamental technology for drug discovery in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited(liquidated in 2023).Since the first fund in 2017, we have been promoting investment activities using a total of 50 billion yen, including the "Mitsubishi UFJ Life Science Fund No. 4" (20 billion yen).Currently, he holds the position of outside director at Kamuipharma, GAIA Biomedicine, and Luxonus Co. Ltd., as well as serving as a fellow for collaboration between industry and academia at Kyoto University Medical Science and Business Liaison Organization.

Hitoshi Takuma

Hidehiro Ando

President & Representative, Andy Pharma Partners Inc.

He graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo. He joined Tanabe Pharma Corporation (present Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation). After being assigned to the research department of pharmacokinetics, he was involved in partnership-related business of international development department, research and development planning department, etc., including establishment of a joint venture with overseas companies. Subsequently, he worked in the technology transfer department of RIKEN (Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), a regenerative medicine venture, Bayer Yakuhin, a drug discovery venture, and he established a personal office. He has engaged in business development and licensing work for 40 years, and now, based on his experience and networks, he is supporting business development activities, such as licensing agreements and joint research of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies/ventures. He provides comprehensive support services ranging from looking for appropriate partners, preparing the draft of contract outline, contract negotiation, and alliance management with partners after the partnership agreement. Especially, based on experience of practicing on both sides of venture and pharmaceutical companies, he keeps in mind providing informative advice and proposals for specific action plans.

Satoshi Ogawa

TMI Associates Partner (Attorney)

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).