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

Tadashi Sameshima

I have been engaged in product development and business operations of medical devices and regenerative medicine products for 37 years at Terumo Corporation. I have experienced the development of medical devices such as extracorporeal circulatory and blood transfusion devices, as well as the development to commercialization of cellular products. In addition, I am able to provide specific advice on various stages of development based on my participation in joint research with universities, collaboration among companies, discussions with government agencies, and activities of industry associations.

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).

Tetsuo Miura

Specially Appointed Researcher, Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine

I worked as a product and business development manager primarily in the fields of diagnostic equipment-reagent systems and medical devices at major foreign pharmaceutical and domestic medical device companies, and also participated in global product development teams at the US and French headquarters. I have medical science knowledge in the fields of infectious diseases, immunology, cardiovascular diseases, metabolism, reproductive medicine, and laboratory medicine, as well as information on the medical field. After mandatory retirement, I served as a senior researcher at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, responsible for developing and implementing international collaborative clinical research and clinical trials for pharmaceuticals and medical devices with clinical trial networks in Southeast Asian countries. Currently, as part of an industrial-medical collaboration project, I also provide guidance and support to companies in product development with an eye toward exit strategies such as obtaining pharmaceutical or WHO PQ approval, and being included in guidelines in cooperation with related medical sectors and societies.

Yoshimi Naruo

Orizuru Therapeuics, Inc. Associate Director, IP&Legal Ph.D., Patent attorney

Education: Ph.D. in Bioinformatics/Systems Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Conducted research in systems biology at RIKEN for 3 years (student internship). Experience: 5 years of experience in drug regulatory affairs at an originator pharmaceutical company, followed by 2 years as an in-house IP specialist handling invalidation and infringement matters at a generic pharmaceutical company. Patent prosecution primarily in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and food at an IP law firm. Fulfilling a long-held aspiration to join a startup, she took on the role of Vice President of Legal IP & Strategy at Splink, Inc., where she contributed to winning the Grand Prix at the 3rd IP BASE AWARD hosted by the Japan Patent Office and the 2022 WIPO Global Awards hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Currently, she is responsible for intellectual property and legal affairs at Orizuru Therapeutics, Inc., a company aiming to commercialize regenerative medicine derived from iPS cells. She leads the formulation of IP strategies and the development of an IP portfolio. Her strength lies in creating IP strategies with a focus on pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, and she strives to provide practical advice in the face of limited resources and uncertainties surrounding technology and commercialization.

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.