医療系ベンチャー・トータルサポートオフィス：MEDISO ( Medical Innovation Support Office )

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 inquiries

In 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).

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.

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

Akiyo Inoko Hewett

Inoko Law and Consulting, LLC　Principal Attorney

Main specialty areas

medicines
medical devices
regenerative medicine products

Specialized support fields

Regulatory compliance
Business planning
Funding
Business operation systems
Specialized support fields

Akiyo is an international attorney licensed in both Japan and the United States. She has extensive experience advising Japanese companies on U.S. legal matters. She began her legal career at an Am Law 200 U.S. law firm, where she advised Japanese companies of all sizes and their U.S. subsidiaries on a broad range of legal matters, including corporate governance, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance. She later joined AI Medical Service Inc., a Japanese healthcare startup, where she supported global commercial agreements, regulatory compliance, and the company's U.S. operations. As a Fractional General Counsel, she now advises multiple Japanese healthcare startups on U.S. market entry, business expansion, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day legal and operational matters.

Atsushi Shimada

Chief Technology Development Officer ・ Specially Appointed Professor, Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization
AN Venture Partners, Venture Partner
Patent attorney

Main specialty areas

medicines
medical devices
regenerative medicine products

Specialized support fields

Marketing
Business planning
Funding
Business operation systems
Specialized support fields
Etc

Atsushi Shimada is a Specially Appointed Professor and Chief Technology Development Officer (CTDO) at Tohoku University, where he leads initiatives to accelerate the commercialization of academic innovations and the creation of university spinout companies. He also serves as a Venture Partner to AN Venture Partners, a cross-border life sciences venture capital firm investing in innovative biotechnology companies. Prior to joining Tohoku University, Mr. Shimada held leadership positions in intellectual property, business development, and corporate strategy at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Bayer. He subsequently became a life sciences investor, supporting the formation, financing, and growth of early-stage biotechnology startups. Throughout his career, he has led numerous strategic licensing transactions, M&A projects, technology transfer initiatives, venture investments, and intellectual property strategies across a broad range of therapeutic areas. As a registered Japanese Patent Attorney, Mr. Shimada combines scientific expertise with extensive experience in intellectual property, venture capital, and pharmaceutical business development. He has worked closely with researchers, entrepreneurs, pharmaceutical companies, universities, and investors to translate cutting-edge scientific discoveries into successful commercial ventures. As a MEDISO Startup Support Mentor, Mr. Shimada provides practical guidance on startup formation, business strategy, intellectual property, licensing, fundraising, and global commercialization. Drawing on his unique perspective as both a technology commercialization executive and venture investor, he is committed to helping researchers and entrepreneurs build globally competitive life sciences startups and maximize the societal impact of their innovations.

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).

About details of specialists

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.

See more about measures implemented by public institutions