• Naozumi Harada, Ph.D., Chairman, Head of R&D

    Ph.D. in Medicine from Kobe University. Engaged in research and development of cancer drugs at Mitsubishi Chemical, Schering AG, Mie University, etc. Invented our technology and founded the company in 2017. Engaged in a wide range of activities including management, business development, and R&D.

  • Masato Kishida, Ph.D., MBA, President

    Ph.D. in Health Sciences from the University of Tokyo and MBA from MIT Sloan School. An accredited analyst with the Securities Analysts Association of Japan. Worked as a banker, securities analyst, biology researcher, and entrepreneur of a US biotech. Held various positions at Astellas Pharma, including head of research unit and business development, and served as president of Ganymed Pharmaceuticals (Germany).

  • Takatoshi Soga, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research

    Ph.D. in Engineering from the Tokyo University of Science. Engaged in drug discovery research in the cancer area at Astellas Pharma. He also has experience in research at a US bio-venture company. After experiencing scientific evaluation, investment, and business tie-ups with European and American bio-ventures at corporate venture capital, he served as the head of a research unit.

  • Yoshihito Daimon, J.D., Patent Attorney, Director of Board (External).

    Graduated from Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyushu University. Patent Attorney. Doctor of Jurisprudence. Engaged in legal and intellectual property work at Astellas Pharma Inc. and a foreign generic drug company, where in charge of application prosecution to intellectual property litigation and M&A. In recent years, has widely supported drug discovery startups and academia from the perspective of IP strategy. A specially-appointed professor at the OI Strategy Organization of Tohoku University.

  • Atsushi Usami, Ph.D., Pharmacist, Director of Board (External)

    Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Tokyo. Joined The University of Tokyo Edge Capital in 2013. Now in charge of seed and early-stage investments to startups in the field of medical, pharmaceutical, and chemical.

  • Hiroshi Gonaikawa, Director of Board (External)

    Graduated from Tohoku University with a degree in economics. After working as a securities analyst at Nomura Research Institute, led the launch of VC funds at Nomura Securities Group. After working in the investment banking, VCs, and consulting fields, co-founded Axil Capital in 2017. Now in charge of domestic investment portfolio manager.

  • Norimasa Yaguchi, Certified Public Accountants, Auditor

    Graduated from Hosei University, Faculty of Business Administration. Engaged in statutory auditing services, IPO services, and M&A services at Ernest & Young (EY) LLC and its group companies. Served as a member of the Venture Company Committee of the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a member of the Accounting and Auditing System Committee of the Limited Liability Partnership for Investment Business, a member of committees at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and a member of the Examination Committee of the Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants.

  • Atsushi Shimada, Patent Attorney, Auditor

    Graduated from Osaka University, Faculty of Engineering. Completed IE Business School. Patent Attorney. Information Security Administrator. After working as a patent attorney for Biotech in the United States at a patent firm, he engaged in management planning, business development, and intellectual property strategy at Takeda Pharmaceutical (Japan/US) and Bayer global. Participated in the University of Tokyo Edge Capital in 2018, responsible for investment and hands-on support in the life science field.