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).
Takahiro Mizumoto
Ant innovations Co., Ltd
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Specialized support fields
Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Master’s Program in Intellectual Property Management.
After passing the Japanese Patent Attorney Examination, gained venture investment experience in high-tech sectors including IT and healthcare at NIFS SMBC Capital (later split into Daiwa Corporate Investment and SMBC Venture Capital).
Subsequently joined Showa Shell Sekiyu, where he led the planning and development of multiple new services spanning payment solutions, retail electricity, and mobile app businesses.
With the launch of the University of Tokyo Innovation Platform (UTokyo IPC), he joined the firm and founded 1stRound, a cross-university incubation program. He later spearheaded the establishment of an approximately JPY 25 billion open-innovation promotion fund and served as its Chief Investment Officer.
In November 2025, he founded Ant Innovations, a newly established venture capital firm and subsidiary of the private equity firm Ant Capital Partners, and assumed the role of Representative Director and Partner.
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.
Hiroyuki Hasegawa
Director of Life Science, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd.
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
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.
Tomokazu Ichikawa
Director, TM Research and Investments Pte. Ltd.
Main specialty areas
- medical devices
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Business planning
- Funding
Leveraged cross-functional expertise in business strategy and legal to work on strategy development, M&A, and investments in the medical device sector. Practiced law at Nagashima, Ohno and Tsunematsu, handling M&A and other corporate matters. Worked for McKinsey & Company and Hoya Corporation. Completed several acquisitions and investments in the US and Europe in the medical device business. Experienced managing a healthcare service operator in India. Currently, helping AI Medical Service, an artificial intelligence software startup for endoscope and CUC, a healthcare service provision related company. Spent more than 10 years in Singapore and familiar with business in Southeast Asian countries. Graduated from Waseda University, London Business School's Masters in Finance, and Cambridge's MBA. Attorney at law admitted in Japan.
Atsushi Usami
The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd. (UTEC)
Partner and Board Director
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Specialized support fields
He holds a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Tokyo and is a licensed pharmacist. Prior to joining UTEC in October 2013, he worked as a consultant at Mitsubishi Research Institute. Currently serving as a Partner and Board Director, he oversees venture investments and provides management support primarily in the life sciences sector for seed and early-stage startups. He has played a key role in investments in companies such as OriCiro Genomics, Inc. (acquired by Moderna, Inc.) and Repertoire Genesis, Inc. (acquired by Eurofins Scientific SE). In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Encouragement Award for Venture Capitalists at the 23rd Japan Venture Awards in 2023.
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)
