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).
Satoshi Ogawa
TMI Associates Partner (Attorney)
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Regulatory compliance
- Funding
- Business operation systems
- Specialized support fields
- Etc
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).
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.
Yuki Yamakage
Representative Director, Takashi Shimada Office Co., Ltd.
Managing Partner, BD Consulting Ltd.
Main specialty areas
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Etc
I have experience working for a global medical device company in insurance strategy development and insurance applications for products in a wide range of medical specialties and disease areas, as well as market access work (relevant academic societies, patient groups, government agencies and industry associations). I have now set up my own private practice and provide support to medical device and pharmaceutical companies and new entrants in terms of healthcare and care systems and insurance strategies. I have experience in the insurance application category (C1/C2 applications) for innovative medical devices. I also have a lot of experience in training employees and conducting seminars, most recently on SaMD insurance applications. My motto is to provide consulting services that address the concerns of my clients after explaining information on insurance applications for medical devices in a way that is easy to understand for beginners.
Tsutomu Uchiyama Ph.,D.
Founder, Uchiyama IP Strategies
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Specialized support fields
Patent attorney/Ph.D.
After working as a researcher in molecular biology for Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (current Daiichi-Sankyo), he passed the examination for patent attorneys in 1996. He worked in the intellectual property departments of three companies as an in-house patent attorney, practitioner, manager and global IP head (Eisai)—Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, SoftBank Investment, and Eisai Co., Ltd.—for a total of 20 years, where he was involved in patent practice and patent strategies, as well as patent portfolio management including patent filing, patent clearance and intellectual property due diligence.
In April 2017, he founded Uchiyama IP Strategies. Currently, utilizing his experience, he mainly assists venture companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and academia in patent strategy and contractual matters in drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and biotechnology research.
Aiko Kato Sullenberger
RykoTECH President
Main specialty areas
- medicines
- medical devices
- regenerative medicine products
Specialized support fields
- Marketing
- Business planning
- Funding
- Business operation systems
Aiko Kato Sullenberger, CEO of RykoTECH, a significant contributor within the Boston startupecosystem for several years, brings a wealth of experience in various roles, spanning investor,startup, and accelerator. She provides specialized advisory services comprehensive strategicconsultation and facilitation of market entry into the US across diverse sectors, including drugdiscovery, medical devices, digital health, digital therapeutics and biotech. Aiko can help • Fundraising • Strategic Partnership Development • Create Deal Flow (Connecting with Potential Investors) • Identifying Partners and Advisors • Assistance in Facilitating Clinical Trials • Corporate Strategy: Investment Thesis, Portfolio Analysis • Market / Trend Research & Analysis • Go-to-Market Strategy • Academic Business Liaison: Interdisciplinary Project Lead • Cross-Functional Team Building
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)
