A comprehensive portal site for Medical Innovation Support Office (MEDISO).
Knowledgeable experts support
the practical application of medicines,
medical devices,
and regenerative medicinal products.
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.
Click here for inquiriesIn 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).
Akiyo Inoko Hewett
Attorney, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Specialized support fields
Akiyo Inoko Hewett is a bilingual and double-licensed attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. She graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and earned her J.D. at Keio Law School. After passing the Japanese bar exam and completing her legal training in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Akiyo relocated to the United States. She earned an LL.M. from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. Currently, Akiyo serves as an attorney at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, where she provides legal services to Japanese companies doing business in the United States and supports clients across a broad range of corporate matters. Her practice areas include international and domestic commercial transactions, regulartory compliance, healthcare law, and immigration law.
Tomohisa Hayasaki
GVA LPC Attorney-at-Law / Partner
The Leader of The Team ""Medical / Healthcare / Cosmetic Industry""
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Marketing
- Funding
- Specialized support fields
- Etc
After registering as a lawyer, I have been handling disputes such as corporate and labor disputes, as well as providing legal support for the designing lawful business models of new businesses and for funding. In addition, I have been providing legal support for businesses in the field of medical and beauty based on my knowledge of laws relating to medicals including the Japanese Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices and the Japanese Medical Care Act. In particular, I have been providing extensive support for numerous businesses operating in new field such as Software as Medical Device (SaMD) and Non-Software as a Medical Device (Non-SaMD), telemedicine/home call medical services, and also for companies utilizing medical information by employing new technologies such as AI. I am also addressing legal issues faced by companies using advance technologies. Furthermore, I have expertise in the latest marketing trend and offer advice on marketing strategies based on the Japanese Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, advertising regulations in Japan such as medical advertising regulations, and medical and pharmaceutical devices regulations.
Minori Kosuge
Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance
Rokken, Inc.
Main specialty areas
- medical devices
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Etc
- Experience of working for 15 years at a Japanese medical device company: Technical writing, regulatory affairs (US 510k submissions, translation for QSR inspection), R&D of patient monitor and its related programs.
- Experience of working at Japanese SaMD startup companies: experience of negotiation with PMDA and consultation for regulatory affairs/quality assurance.
- Currently working as a regulatory affairs/quality assurance consultant and an in-house regulatory affairs/quality assurance specialist.
Support available for class II active medical devices and SaMD, for Japan and US.
Mirai Miyahara
President of i Access Consulting Inc.
Main specialty areas
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
Miyahara holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Graduate School of Economics at Tohoku University. She possesses 17 years of professional experience in Regulatory Affairs, QMS, business planning, and overseas marketing at a leading medical device company and Notified bodies in Japan. With a specific focus on multi-country regulatory compliance and extensive experience in overseas medical device markets, Miyahara has demonstrated proficiency in navigating the regulatory landscapes of diverse markets, including Japan, China, India, East Southern Asia, EU and the U.S. She has a proven track record of achieving success in supporting medical companies with regulatory compliance, facilitating international expansion, and establishing strategic partnerships with local entities. Miyahara is also an adviser for JETRO medical devices international expansion program.
Tomoko Maeda-Chubachi
TMC Clinical Development Consulting, Inc, President; The Institute of Drug Development Career Promotion, Founding Director; Japan Alliance of Medical School Startups, Director
Main specialty areas
- medicines
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Business planning
- Business operation systems
- Etc
Dr. Maeda-Chubachi is an advisor and consultant for pharmaceutical and biotech companies and was the Chief Medical Officer at Pelthos Therapeutics (previously Novan), leading First-in-Human to launch preparation. Tomoko is known for her expertise in drug development with over 20 years industry experience. She has led clinical and medical affairs in large pharma as well as a small biotech. She led global drug development teams, resulting in 8 approvals in multiple regions, including Xalatan, Xeljanz, Taltz, Vtama, and Zelsuvmi. Tomoko has broad knowledge of drug development, of which process is highly regulated and need thorough risk assessment, management, and control. As a Chief Medical Officer, she worked closely with the CEO and board about the strategy and governance.
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)
