Specialists Introduction

Mirai Miyahara

President of i Access Consulting Inc.

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.

Yutaka Kono

Guest professor
Drug Discovery Science Division,Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University

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.

Akihiko Watanabe, Ph.D.

President, GlobalHumanScienceInnovation; Senior Consultant, Headland Strategy Group; Visiting Professor, Gifu Pharmaceutical University; BD Consultant, United Immunity; Executive Advisor, SOKK Japan

With R&D expertise atJapanese and global pharmaceutical companies as a backbone, he has been engaged in marketing, BD, management planning and fundraising, in addition to R&D. In the Editorial Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, he organized roundtable discussions and special issues on practical application of academia seeds. He has been thinking about how Japanese bio-ventures can succeed. Over the past five years, he has worked at bio-venture companies as CBO or VP of BD and open innovation. He is also engaged in the making and analysing stratetgies of management, business, R&D, and marketing for pharmaceutical companies and bio-ventures on commission from a US consulting firm.

Eiichi Yamaguchi

Eiichi Yamaguchi, Ph.D. President A1 Partners

Ph.D from Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kyushu University. Currently engaged in management and business development consulting for pharmaceutical companies, biotech ventures, and consulting firms. Over 20 years expertise of business development at Shionogi Co., Ltd., a major pharmaceutical company as well as bioventure companies. Senior Director, Business Development & Corporate Planning Dept., Shionogi. A lot of global business experience such as the first Managing Director, Shionogi Singapore, Vice President, Shionogi Qualicaps, Inc., North Carolina, and Shionogi New York. Board of Director & President & COO, a bioventure company. The first chairman, Japan Pharma Alliance Association. The Vice Chairman, Public Private Alliance Conference associated with Infectious diseases led by Dr. Shigeru Omi. Also engaged in Director, International Committee, JPMA. Last but not least, selected as Mentor for Blockbuster Tokyo 2021

Hiroya Kuwahara

Department of Neurology and Neurological Science / Institute of Innovation Advancement
Tokyo Medical and Dental University

M.D. (graduated from Tokyo Medical and Dental University), and Ph.D. (completed doctral course at Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University). Specialist and Attending Neurologist of the Japanese Society of Neurology, and Fellow and Board Certified Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. He is engaged in 1) clinical practice, research, and education in neurology, 2) research and development of fudamental technologies for drug discovery (especialy nucleic acid drugs and drug delivery system), 3) promotion of clinical research and industry-academia collaboration, at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. He has a career of a Deputy Director at Research and Development Division, Health Policy Bureau, at the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare from 2018 to 2019, and was involved in establishing a nationwide system for promoting clinical research and accelerating venture companies in the healthcare field. He provides consultations on the needs of clinical practice, on collaborative research and field provision in relation to project implementation, and on clinical research and development.

Masakazu Masujima

Partner, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

Masa is a guru of startup legal advisory space in Japan. Based on the experiences at Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, his advice is West Coast style; progressive, risk-base and proactive. Through more than 2 dacades of dedication to the startup space, he has advised IPOs, M&As and major cross-border fundraising for may startups, including biotech and healthcare ones, and have also worked with entrepreneurs through a variety of touch situation, such as disputes between founders, problems with investors as well as intellectual property disputes. Masa has served as a council member of numerous Government committees, such as Regulatory Reform Promotion Council, the Regulatory Sandbox Committee, the Digital Market Competition Council and the Industrial Structure Council. He is admitted to NY bar and Japan bar, and a licensed patent attorny in Japan.

Yoshiki Kawabata

President, MedX Inc.

Advantage from over 35 years of multiple company & responsibility experience in medical device industry, helping foreign companies to enter into Japanese market. Key highlights in the past achievements are : with Johnson & Johnson Mdecial Company, worked with US R&D team to develop new product which reflecting Japanese patient and physicians needs - three years resided in Cincinnati, Ohio: HeartFlow Inc., which developed the first "program device" - FFRCT, enabling non-invasive detection of FFR, applied and received regulatory approval and reimbursement as a first product and company. : in Palette Lifesciences Japan, establishment of new subsidiary for start-up company which transferred the business from exclusive distributor. Started with minimum number of direct resources and having multiple partnerships with logistics, finance and regulatory affairs, revitalized the business and achieved a 149% growth over the last year of distributor.

Nao Yoshizawa

GRiT Partners　Law offices/Willsame.co.ltd/Cabinet office advisor for National bioecnomy strategy/Keio university Medical school

After leaving the law firm Nishimura Asahi, [the individual] established the law firm GRiT Partners and assumed the role of managing partner. They also serve as the representative of Willsame Corporation and hold qualifications as a lawyer, patent attorney, CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), Applied Information Technology Engineer, Information Processing Security Support Engineer, and IT Strategist. They have served as a committee member for the formulation of standards in electronic commerce and related information transactions at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as an expert in the Cabinet Office's bioecnomy strategy, and as an advisor to Biock. They have been involved in the establishment of the Japan Chapter of Aging2.0 in Silicon Valley and served as a mentor for Alchemist Accelerator. A graduate of the law faculty at Hitotsubashi University, they completed intellectual property and machine learning programs at Stanford University, as well as multiple AI programs at MIT. They serve as a program committee member for the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tokyo and the Medical Innovation Human Resources Development Course at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. With a deep understanding of international perspectives on digital health, they provide advisory support for startups and pharmaceutical companies' DX (Digital Transformation) programs. They founded the Life Science Incubation Council and focus on launching projects and connecting them with ecosystems both domestically and internationally.

Kiyoaki Kojima

Partner

Kiyo advises clients in corporate formation, governance, and compliance matters; mergers and acquisitions; joint ventures; leasing and licensing matters; distribution and franchise arrangements; and a wide range of commercial transactions.An important part of Kiyo’s practice includes his work with international companies in relocating and/or establishing ventures in the U.S. He assists companies and investors with incentives and site selection; real estate acquisitions and construction agreements; corporate formation and governance; asset purchases and joint ventures; regulatory compliance; and contracts of all types to help ensure a seamless U.S. launch or transition.He also counsels clients in virtually all areas of labor and employment law, including drafting and/or interpretation of employment agreements, company policies, and handbooks; union-avoidance training; countering discrimination and harassment claims; hire, fire and discipline issues; and dispute resolution procedures. Active in the community, Kiyo is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, a board member of the Japan America Society of Georgia, and a board member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia. He also serves in “advisor” or “supporter” roles in various entities in Japan, such as InnoHub, MEDISO, and IDEC Yokohama.

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.

Tomokatsu Hongo

Keio Innovation Initiative, Inc
Corporate Officer

Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from Nagoya University. At Summit Pharmaceuticals International Corporation, I was engaged in VC fund management, investment and sales support for bio-ventures, and domestic sales agency business for overseas bio-ventures. In 2016, I joined Keio Innovation Initiative (KII) as an investment manager in the medical and health field. I have been investing in drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and medical device ventures by leveraging his business experience in the pharmaceutical industry and career as a researcher, and providing a wide range of hands-on support, not only in terms of funding, but also in business development.

Takahiro Mizumoto

UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.

Completed a Master's Program in Intellectual Property Management at Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine. After passing the patent attorney examination, experienced venture investment in the IT and healthcare high-tech sectors at NIFSMBC Capital (currently split into Daiwa Corporate Investment and SMBC Capital). Later, at Showa Shell Sekiyu, led the planning and development of various new services including settlement, new electricity, and application development. With the establishment of the University of Tokyo IPC fund, joined the company and founded 1stRound, the largest university incubation program in partnership with the University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, and Tsukuba University. Subsequently, led the establishment of an open innovation promotion fund of approximately 25 billion yen and served as the CIO (Chief Investment Officer) of the fund.

Chia-Feng Lu

Shareholder(Senior Partner), Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Chia-Feng Lu represents life sciences companies and industry associations in strategic regulatory and legislative worldwide to guide and develop new legislation and policy, to frame effective approaches to working with the various agencies on compliance and investigation issues. He has intensive experience in provision of the guidance to companies introducing novel technology products, such as AI, block chain, 3D-printing, cancer immunotherapy, digital health, cell / gene therapy, precision medicine-related products and services, RNAi drug, as well as SMART device. In his past experience, he has already assisted companies in translating the scientific ideas from Nobel Laureates into the successful commercial launch of at least two products. In addition, he advises investment banks, private equity firms, and venture capital groups on their evaluations of the technologies, deal structures, and the resulting business impacts, as well as regulatory uncertainty with respect to novel technology and compliance. He specializes in various issues in connection with biotech investors or life sciences companies’ research & development strategy, portfolio management, corporate strategy planning, partnerships, licensing, project finance, auction, investment, and M&A. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member of a number of leading academic institutions in the U.S. and Japan, and an advisor to numerous government agencies.

Takeshi komatani

Takeshi S Komatani is currently principal litigation certified patent attorney in the field of chemical/pharma and bio/life sciences at a patent law firm, and has a number of counsels, including in academia, start-ups and big pharma internationally. Takeshi received his PhD from the University of Tokyo, Japan, received his LLB and LLM (global legal practice) from Keio University, and is currently a visiting professor at Kobe University, teaching IP strategy in entrepreneurship and Doshisha University (Kyoto). He has completed CEIPI Summer School on IP (University of Strasbourg), France. He is also qualified as a pharmacist with a certificate of Kampo and natural medicines specialist qualification. He was a researcher at F Hoffmann-La Roche in Basle, Switzerland. He has completed the EU-recognised PharmaTrain course at Osaka University, and is qualified as a board-certified member of the Japanese Association of Pharmaceutical Medicine. He is a member of the AIPPI and vice chair of TRIPS SC and a member of IP-GRTK SC and Pharma SC, and a member of the editorial board of the Pharmaceutical Patent Analyst (UK). He is also a member of JPAA, APAA, IPAJ, PSA, JPA, CSAIP and AAAS. He has lectured in academia, including at Japanese and German universities and WIPO Academy, and contributed to a number of articles.

Motohiro Kobayashi

University of Yamanashi Hospital, Clinical Trial Management Office, Associate Professor

With over 30 years of practical experience in pharmaceutical companies, ranging from basic research to clinical development, licensing activities, and regulatory audits. Subsequently, I served as a technical expert in the Innovation Commercialization Support & Strategic Consultation Division of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), dealing with regulatory consultation services for academia and venture companies (especially for regenerative medicine products and pharmaceuticals). Currently, I am working in the clinical research support department of a university, supporting physician-led clinical trials and clinical research. I have experienced numerous pre-meetings and face-to-face advice with PMDA. I also have experience in application support for public research and development projects (such as Seeds C, etc.) by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). In particular, I can provide detailed support for the development of regenerative medicine products (including quality and non-clinical).

Yasuhisa Matsukawa

Hitoshi Takuma

Masashi Matsunaga

Biospire Japan Ltd. / Biospire UK Ltd.
CEO

As an experienced global business development strategist, Dr Masashi Matsunaga provides business soft-landing, clinical and regulatory support to the UK and European market. He also enables to support IP management, marketing and pitch-deck brush-up in the MEDISO support package. He is based at Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, a core UK innovation hub located near Oxford.

Shunichi Takahashi

Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd.

After joining Mitsui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., he worked at　Nihon Schering K.K., Berlex Biosciences (a US subsidiary of Schering AG). In 2007, he joined Bayer due to management integration. Over the past 15 years, he was in charge of exploring new projects and verifying concepts in drug discovery research, especially in the areas of cardiovascular systems, immunity, stem cell research, etc. Subsequently, he was in charge of the project management cardiovascular system area manager of development headquarters, the primary care manager of the medical affairs headquarters, and he has been in his current role since 2014 (Open Innovation Center director). He leads strategic partnerships and joint research with Japanese academies and venture companies. He is also verifying new pharmaceutical business models that take advantage of big data, AI, IoT, and others. In 2018, he launched the first venture incubation facility (CoLaboraotor Kobe) as a foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical company and is focusing on fostering ecosystems.

Kazuhiro Kanmuri

Inter-Professional Inc.

He engaged in pharmaceutical research and development for more than 25 years. He has gained experience in Japan and in the US development organization of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., and CRO/consulting organizations, and has been deeply involved in strategic/regulaotry planning of clinical developmentincluding overseas organizations. His specialized fields are extensive, which include company clinical trials and investigator-initiated clinical trials, organization management, strategy development, and clinical trial operation/implementation, safety and pharmacovigillance, and he is active in the academic area of regulatory science. Currently, he engages in the consulting business as an expert in clinical development/organization and human resources development through the corporation that he established by himself and specialized CRO. In addition to being the incumbent, he concurrently served as a visiting lecturer of an academia organization, and he belongs to DIA Japan, an industry association of the pharmaceutical industry, and served as the Vice Program Committee Chair of the DIA Japan annual convention in 2018.

Hidehiro Ando

President & Representative, Andy Pharma Partners Inc.

He graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo. He joined Tanabe Pharma Corporation (present Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation). After being assigned to the research department of pharmacokinetics, he was involved in partnership-related business of international development department, research and development planning department, etc., including establishment of a joint venture with overseas companies. Subsequently, he worked in the technology transfer department of RIKEN (Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), a regenerative medicine venture, Bayer Yakuhin, a drug discovery venture, and he established a personal office. He has engaged in business development and licensing work for 40 years, and now, based on his experience and networks, he is supporting business development activities, such as licensing agreements and joint research of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies/ventures. He provides comprehensive support services ranging from looking for appropriate partners, preparing the draft of contract outline, contract negotiation, and alliance management with partners after the partnership agreement. Especially, based on experience of practicing on both sides of venture and pharmaceutical companies, he keeps in mind providing informative advice and proposals for specific action plans.

Yoshinori Shinoki

Pharma Initiative Support LLC

He graduated from the Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, and is a licensed pharmacist. At Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Eli Lilly Japan K.K., after taking charge of clinical development, business planning, etc., he acquired experience in planning and implementing various clinical development plans as a project leader for newly developed items in the project management department. In addition, he led NHI price negotiation strategy, post-marketing clinical startegy, and market planning. After that, he built up clinical development department at Global CRO. he also led the planning of the clinical development for Japan for small and biological products, as well as negotiating with regulatory authorities. Recently, in addition to medicines, he also led the development of clinical development strategies of medical devices and the products of regenerative medicine (gene therapy products and cell/tissue processed products).

Kenichi Yamahara

Professor at the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Hyogo Medical University
Representative Director of CTEX Co., Ltd.

From the time of a former position at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, he planned and implemented the formulation of the amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells and investigator-initiated clinical trials for acute grafts versus host disease/Crohn's disease under the support by Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants/AMED. He often had PMDA consultations on the products of regenerative medicine and acquired knowledge of laws and regulations. Taking advantage of the experience, he founded a venture, Japan Biomedical Co., Ltd., which manufactures the domestic bovine serum NeoSERA® for the products of regenerative medicine by satisfying the standards for biological materials in January 2017. Furthermore, in order to aggressively develop investigator-initiated clinical trials of cell therapy making use of university hospital infrastructures, he founded a venture, CTEX Co., Ltd., from Hyogo Medical University in February 2018. Recently, he participated as a medical expert in the company developing the regenerative medical product and is a principal investigator for investigator-initiated clinical trials for the development of cell therapy in the medical device category (adopted by AMED). Currently, he is working on the practice of cell therapy development initiated at the university hospital while concurrently serving in the basic and clinical departments of Hyogo Medical University.

Atsushi Usami

The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd. (UTEC)
Partner and Board Director

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.

Daisuke Sugiyama

Hiroshima University, Translational Research Center, Professor

He obtained his PhD thesis at University of Tokyo. After working at several hospitals as a clinician, he has engaged in medical reserach at University Paris 6 (French Government Scholar), Dartmouth College (JSPS research fellow), Kyushu University and Hiroshima University. Based on the experiences working at ARO research core hospital and starting up bio-venture company, he supports and conducts both translational and clinical researches.

Masakatsu Noguchi

SMILE CURVE, Inc.

Ph.D. in life sciences. Worked at consulting firm Dream Incubator, consulting in industry-academia collaboration, business support for tech startups (bio, semiconductor, environmental energy), new business development for large corporations, and overseeing government mega-projects. Previously employed at Abbott Japan and Singapore, managing product marketing for diagnostic tests, pharmaceuticals (women's health), and Asia-Pacific marketing for medical IT. As Business Development Director at Sanamedi, facilitated the commercialization of new medical devices, handled regulatory applications and market launches, and supported investments in and assistance to startups. Additionally served as an evaluator for AMED, and as a mentor for NEDO and university accelerator programs. Currently working independently, he serves as a specially appointed associate professor in the Hiroshima University and as an strategic advisor of MEJ.

Ayuko Nemoto

Aquaxis Law Office

My practice focuses on legal and compliance matters related to healthcare and life science companies. I have been advising on healthcare related laws and regulations, working on legal due diligence for investment, M&A, contract negotiation, and all the other general corporate matters (including domestic and international corporate matters, intellectual properties, labour laws, M&A, JV, IPO support, contract review, personal data, pharmaceutical and advertisement regulations, commercial dispute, accident, communication with relevant authority). Also act as an Advisor of the International Affairs Working Group and MA & Clinical Trial Working Group of Japan Pharmaceutical Industry Legal Affairs Association, Supporter of HealthcareInnovationHub held by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and a member of IRB of the Council for Industrial use of Biological and Environmental Repositories (CIBER). Previously at international law firms.

Kenji Harada

Director & Chief Venture Capitalist, Medical Incubator Japan K.K

He graduated with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tokyo, and is an immunologist by training. He is also a licensed pharmacist and a licensed first-class radiation supervisor. After obtaining his doctorate, he performed a wide range of tasks from basic research to preclinical research as a team leader at Toray Basic Research Laboratories (currently Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories), during which he was developing anti-inflammatory and central nervous system drugs. Subsequently, he was involved in planning and promoting collaborative research with universities and making assessments of platform technologies and drug candidates of American and European biotech startup companies from the technological and intellectual aspects. Furthermore, he conducted GMP inspections in pharmaceutical products and medical device areas multiple times. After starting his career as a venture capitalist, he consistently invested in the biotech sector in the U.S. and Japan. He served as a board member in some of the investees of the U.S. and Japan. Since August 2020, He has expanded his investments into European countries at his current company. He is also engaged in several Japanese governmental projects supporting Japanese startups and research projects.

Nobutaka Tani

Chair Person, Nonprofit Organization Japan Organoid Repository
Independent Consultant (New Business in Life Sciences)

He graduated with a master’s degree from the Department of Synthetic Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo. He led the research and development and the launching new project for medical devices, including blood purification system and brain and heart catheters, at Kaneka Corporation. After that, he was involved in RD of the whole life science, including biopharmaceuticals, as the head of the Life Science RD Center, while investing in medical venture companies such as DDS and establishing joint ventures. He then moved to JSR Corporation and established JSR Life Sciences. He led the launch of the life science project for M&A as the first president since JSR Life Sciences was established. As a part of open innovation, he established a CVC and invested in or acquired venture companies in Japan and overseas, while successively holding the positions of president of the invested companies.

Makoto Shigematsu

Representative Director, Kai Fostering Partners Inc.

He worked on a new project research and development, trial manufacture, mass production, and commercializing of glass delay line element for VTR at Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. He moved to CSKVC by making use of his relevant experience. As a venture capitalist, he engaged mainly in establishing, financing, fostering, and managing venture companies. He practiced monetizing of novel technologies, timely financing, establishing organization and management, sharing an exit strategy as a milestone, active use of intellectual property rights (open and close), and business talks and negotiations (not bargaining) hated by engineers. He has providing support for company’s growth fostered by competition and cooperation, while being employed by traditional companies for 20 years and by venture companies for 20 years with an understanding exactly the opposite of the corporate culture of both.

Shin-ichi Kamachi

CRO-K Co.,Ltd

Completed doctoral course at Kyushu University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences. After joining Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Research Institute in 1977, he worked consistently on pharmaceutical research and development. He has experience in approving one small molecule drug and four biopharmaceuticals. He also has the experience of being the first Japanese company to recommend approval for a central review of EMA. He took early retirement in 2004 and mainly assists with biopharmaceutical CMC and non-clinical testing. After establishing the Japanese branch of an American biopharmaceutical consulting company (Biologic Consulting Group, BCG), he currently serves as a senior consultant for CLOCK Co., Ltd., providing support and advice on the development of biopharmaceuticals.

Jun Utsumi

CEO, TIR Research Consulting LLC.

JU graduated from the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University. He holds DVM, D.Sc., MBA and has licenses of Professional Engineer (biotechnology), Radiation Protection Supervisor and Certified Scientist of Medical AI. He was engaged in research and clinical development at Toray Industries, Inc. and succeeded in commercializing the world's first opioid kappa agonist (received Awards from the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan and Okochi Memorial Foundation). After the business career, he served as a professor in Hokkaido University and Kyoto University, as well as an expert in Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and a senior consultant for intellectual property at the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). Over 30 years of experience led him to establish a consulting company in 2018, he is also involved in medical DX support and won the Japan Open Innovation Award in 2023. He is part-time lecturers at the graduate schools of the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, and the University of Tsukuba. He published “A Guide to Integrated Strategy in Drug Discovery” (Nanzando Co., 2015).

Yasuo Sasaki

He graduated with a doctoral degree in science from the Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University. He was involved in the research and development of pharmaceutical products as an employee of Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation. He was mainly in charge of preclinical studies and regulatory affairs. From 2013, he provided support for research and development by academia, drug discovery venture companies, and small and medium enterprises centering on the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture. Since 2018, he has been providing support services as a freelance advisor or coordinator in the life science field.

Aiko Kato Sullenberger

RykoTECH　President

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

Miyuki Nagao

Globizz Japan Corporation　Tokyo Office Director

After working at U.S. headquarters as an assistant for FDA registrations, FDA filings, and regulatory investigations for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food products, she moved to GLOBITS' Tokyo office to work as a project coordinator. While proposing and coordinating projects related to Japanese companies' entry into the U.S. market, she also provides support for attending and responding to FDA inspections in various fields, advises on FDA registration, conducts brief investigations, and teaches seminars.

Kazufumi Nakamura

Mitsui & Co. Global Investment, Inc.　Investment Director

Kazufumi Nakamura is an Investment Director focused on the investment in biotech in US and China. By leveraging his experiences and networks in Pharma, Biotech and Academia, he connects companies to those experts to expand business and gain scientific insight to help the companies succeed with their important missions.
Kazufumi has over 20 years of healthcare and life sciences experience, spanning business development, investment, entrepreneurship and R&D. Prior to joining MGI, he co-founded a biotech to accelerate innovations through academic institutions in Japan. Previously, he engaged in business development and conducted scientific evaluation, and license-in and license-out of pharmaceutical products at Santen Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he was responsible for creating relationships with the leading academic institutions and innovators, gaining Santen early access to innovation. Prior to Santen, he held a number of clinical development roles at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, including the development of Alzheimer’s disease and Rheumatoid arthritis programs.

keiji Asada

Amenichi Consulting, LLC, CEO

Graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Currently, serving as the CEO of Amenichi Consulting, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in regulatory compliance (FDA) and marketing support for companies entering the U.S. market, particularly in the fields of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and regenerative medicine products. With extensive industry experience and expertise, he assists clients in developing business plans, securing funding, and establishing operational structures. Additionally, he provides comprehensive support, from the formulation to the execution of business strategies, to help clients enhance their competitiveness. Furthermore, he leverages his network to match clients with the most suitable business partners. With a global perspective, he offers customized services tailored to the needs of each client, aiming for sustained growth and success. Amenichi was established in 2018 and has supported over 50 companies since its inception.

Saaya Hirai

Globizz Japan Corporation　Osaka Office Director

After studying abroad in New Zealand during junior high school, she became interested in doing business with foreign countries, and after graduating from high school, she entered a university in Taiwan in English and Mandarin Chinese. At university, she majored in international business administration. During her studies, she experienced corporate internships in the U.S. and Taiwan, gaining insight into the business world from her student days. Currently, as a project controller at headquarters, she is in charge of overall project management and strategic planning for companies entering the U.S. market as a project coordinator.

Hikaru Saito

Saisei Ventures LLC Partner

As a partner of Saisei Ventures, a newly established global venture capital firm that invests in advanced biotech companies in cell and gene therapy, Dr. Saito is responsible for Japan operations including company creation, integrating Japanese science and technology with the Western ecosystem. Prior to joining Saisei, he started career as a research scientist at Astellas Pharma Inc. and then as a Senior Manager of Business Development and as a Senior Investment Manager at Astellas Venture Management, a CVC arm based in Silicon Valley, USA, where he was a lead role for deal process, due diligence and transactions for venture investments in RNA therapeutics, cell and gene therapy. He was providing business support to portfolio companies based on the expertise, experience, and global network. He also led the development of strategic partnerships with venture capital funds, accelerators, and institutional investors based in the U.S. and Europe. Prior to joining Astellas, he was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, and a Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He received his B.S. in Biotechnology and M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomolecular Molecularl Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Akiyo Inoko Hewett

Attorney, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP

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.

Satoshi Morimoto

Morimoto Phrma Partrnering, Representative

Representative of Morimoto Pharma Partnering. Master of Science in Applied Biochemistry, Graduate School of Waseda University. I stared my carrier at the former The Green Cross Corporation (now Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation), experienced in pharmaceutical R&D, product strategy planning, and business development. During that time, I was dispatched as the liaison to Germany for four years. My last position was Director of Business Development. Then, I joined to CMIC Holdings, where I led the business development of rare disease drugs as Director of Business Development and Head of IPD Company. From 2016, I spent six years at the Mitsubishi Chemical Group's Life Science Institute(LSII) as head of the Regenerative Medicine Division, where I was involved in the early stages of cell product development, initiating clinical trials, and leading the construction and operation of cell processing facilities.　After retiring from LSII in 2021, I started own business as a consultant. I would like to provide practical advice based on my experience in the development and commercialization of rare disease drugs and regenerative medicine products. In addition, I would like to provide practical advice on business development from the perspective of having been introduced to various projects from venture companies over 30 years.

Kensuke Suzuki

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Partner, Attorney-at-law

Kensuke Suzuki is a partner at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. He represents both domestic and international clients, with a special focus on cross-border transactions, with respect to pharmaceutical, medical and healthcare business, M&A and corporate transactions, fund formation and management, and financial regulations. With expert knowledge of the Japanese medical, pharmaceutical, medical device, and other various healthcare-related regulations, he advises on a wide variety of business activities in the broad healthcare sector, such as regulatory compliance, data protection, mergers and acquisitions, alliances, business startups, financing, licensing and other commercial transactions. He was admitted to the Japan Bar in 2000 and worked as visiting attorney at Kirkland & Ellis （Chicago） from 2006 to 2007. He served as a special adviser to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare from 2014 to 2015. He is fluent in Japanese and English.

Hiroyuki Hasegawa

Director of Life Science, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd.

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.