After graduating from Kanazawa University (Faculty of Science), I completed the master’s program at the same university and the doctoral program at Osaka University Graduate School (Doctor of Science). I have served in various positions, including the Department of Dermatology at Osaka University School of Medicine, the Faculty of Science at Kyushu University, and the Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University. In 2007, I became a professor at the Cancer Research Institute at Kanazawa University, a professor at the Nano Life Science Institute in 2017, and since 2022, I have also served as Vice President (in charge of Industry-Academia Collaboration and Research) at the same university.

My dream is to see my research results benefit people and society. In 2001, I founded Kringle Pharma, Inc. which was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in 2020. The company is engaged in the development of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of intractable diseases using HGF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor).

Media / Awards
・Japan Cancer Society Encouragement Award
・Special Jury Prize at Bio Business Competition Japan
・Nature Medicine-AnGesMG Biomedical Award
・Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology
・Kanazawa City Cultural Award
/Others

I earned a Ph.D. in Science from Kanazawa University (Faculty of Science) and Tokyo Institute of Technology Graduate School, specializing in biophysics. After working as a postdoctoral researcher, I participated in several venture businesses focused on life sciences and biotech as an executive, founder, and investor.

I have extensive experience in business development in the healthcare industry, considering factors such as the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, clinical trials, market creation, and international expansion. I am well-versed in business models within the medical industry and have personal experience as an entrepreneur in business development, fundraising, and exits. I serve on various committees related to startup support projects at NEDO and JST. My main investment history includes life sciences and biotech companies in Japan, the U.S., and Canada.

Graduated from Kyoto Institute of Technology (Faculty of Engineering). At the Kyoto University Large-Scale Computer Center (now the Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies), I was mainly engaged in the development and management of database systems. I was also responsible for the construction and management of the university’s core network (KUINS). Since 2000, I have been in charge of medical information at Kanazawa University, managing, operating, and developing medical information systems. Later, I took on roles in accounting, contracts, and industry-academia collaboration as an administrative officer.

I played a comprehensive role in the establishment of Vision Incubate Co., Ltd. and the certification and formation of the VI-1 Fund.

Graduated from Kanazawa University (Faculty of Law and Literature). After gaining extensive experience in banking at the head office, Singapore branch, and London branch of Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan (now SBI Shinsei Bank), I worked at a U.S.-based life insurance company’s Japan branch and was involved in establishing European banks’ Japan branches. I also held positions related to the establishment of the Japan Pension Service and the development and auditing of its oversight system. In 2014, I was appointed as an auditor of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and served until 2022.

Utilizing my experience in banking operations, organizational management, governance, and internal controls (including internal auditing), I conduct auditing duties to ensure proper business operations.

Graduated from Nagoya University (Faculty of Agriculture) and obtained a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from The University of Pennsylvania. After working on drug discovery research, clinical development, and business development at the former Yamanochi Pharmaceutical (now Astellas Pharma), I served as Managing Director of Astellas Ventures (U.S.), the CVC of Astellas Pharma, and was involved in investment activities in U.S. startups. I then became the first President of Santen Ventures. I have made investments in 20 companies and have achieved exits with 10 of them.

After working at the former UFJ Tsubasa Securities (now Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities), I served as an Incubation Manager at the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan (SME Support, JAPAN). I then worked as a Coordinator for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and URA at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). In 2018, I established the Regional Future Creation Foundation, a general incorporated foundation aimed at nurturing social co-creation producers to support companies and regional industries and contribute to regional revitalization. I have been engaged in creating new business projects through regional collaboration across Japan and promoting industry-academia-government-finance partnerships at national universities.

After graduating from Toyama University (Faculty of Economics), I joined Hokkoku Bank. Following roles in corporate sales at two branches, I was seconded to the Hokuriku Economic Federation. I focused on international exchanges, business matching between Hokuriku companies and domestic and international firms, and supporting Hokuriku startups. Subsequently, I worked at CC Innovation, a subsidiary of Hokkoku Bank, dealing with domestic M&A and cross-border M&A.

I serve as a project manager for the “Tech Startup HOKURIKU” platform under the university-originated new industry creation fund’s “Startup Ecosystem Co-Creation Program,” overseeing project planning, operations, and management. I also handle associate tasks related to investment business.

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Science University) Graduate School.