MEDISO Seminar Series: Breaking Barriers for Medical Startups Vol.24. Fundraising Edition: Frontline of Venture Capital Support and Company Creation

The 24th MEDISO Seminar will focus on corporate support provided by venture capital firms. The event will begin with an introduction by the MEDISO Secretariat on fundraising for medical startups. This will be followed by a presentation from Mr. Atsushi Usami, Director and Partner at The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC) and a MEDISO supporter, who will discuss UTEC's startup support, investment criteria, and company creation strategies.

Additionally, Mr. Nobuyuki Arakawa, Co-Founder and CEO of Ceroid Therapeutics Inc., and Mr. Kenji Kishi, Head of Japan Operations at EpiFrontier Therapeutics LLC, will introduce their respective companies and share their experiences utilizing the AMED-Certified VC program.

A panel discussion and Q&A session will follow, featuring Mr. Yusuma Suematsu from the MEDISO Secretariat, Mr. Akihiko Sosan, MEDISO Chief Producer and General Ambassador, and the aforementioned speakers, discussing practical ways to leverage VC support and the AMED-Certified VC system.

This seminar is essential for startup founders who are either planning to seek venture capital investment or are already navigating the fundraising process with limited guidance.

Registration and details available here.

【Event Overview】 MEDISO Seminar Series: Breaking Barriers for Medical Startups Vol.24. Fundraising Edition: Frontline of Venture Capital Support and Company Creation

【Date and Time】 July 22, 2026 (Wednesday) 17:00–18:15 ※ On-site networking event: 18:15–19:30 【Venue】 Nihonbashi Life Science Hub (Hybrid: in-person and online)

【Participation Fee】 Free

【Capacity】 On-site: 100 participants Online: 500 participants

※ Prior registration is required. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

【Organizer】 Medical Venture Total Support Project (MEDISO)

【Speakers】

Mr. Atsushi Usami｜Director and Partner, The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC)

Mr. Nobuyuki Arakawa｜Co-Founder and CEO, Ceroid Therapeutics Inc.

Mr. Kenji Kishi｜Head of Japan Operations, EpiFrontier Therapeutics LLC Mr. Yusuma Suematsu｜MEDISO Secretariat / Mitsubishi Research Institute, Drug Discovery and Health Ecosystem Division

Mr. Akihiko Sosan｜Chief Producer and General Ambassador, MEDISO / Visiting Professor, Tohoku University / CEO, Executive Alliance Inc.

【Program】

17:00–17:10

"Fundraising for Medical Startups" Mr. Yusuma Suematsu MEDISO Secretariat

17:10–17:40

"Introduction to VC and Startup Support" Mr. Atsushi Usami The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC)

Director and Partner Mr. Nobuyuki Arakawa Ceroid Therapeutics Inc.

Co-Founder and CEO Mr. Kenji Kishi EpiFrontier Therapeutics LLC

Head of Japan Operations

17:40–18:15

Panel Discussion & Q&A Mr. Atsushi Usami Mr. Nobuyuki Arakawa Mr. Kenji Kishi Mr. Yusuma Suematsu Mr. Akihiko Sosan (Chief Producer and General Ambassador, MEDISO / Visiting Professor, Tohoku University / CEO, Executive Alliance Inc.)

【Inquiries】

Medical Venture Total Support Project MEDISO Secretariat Mitsubishi Research Institute Email: [email protected]

【Medical Venture Total Support Project: https://mediso.mhlw.go.jp/ 】

The Medical Venture Total Support Project (MEDISO) connects medical startups and academia facing practicalization challenges with expert advisors (Supporters※), providing comprehensive, stage-specific support—from R&D through clinical application, insurance coverage, and global market entry. ※ Supporters are experts in regulatory affairs, marketing, business planning, fundraising, management strategy, intellectual property strategy, and international expansion.