Event Detail

The role of private equity and venture capital in the Japanese economy is becoming even more important as Japanese companies continue to channel financial resources abroad. The healthcare sector remains one of the most active industry sectors, both in terms of domestic M&A activity and for outbound acquisitions by Japanese pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Join us for our annual round table discussion as Dr. Hiroshi Akimoto, President and CEO of Intellectual Property Strategy Network Inc. (IPSN) and former managing director of Takeda Pharmaceuticals delivers the keynote address before a panel discussion about the role of private equity and venture capital in the healthcare sector.

Following Carlyle's acquisition and recent sale of Qualicaps, Takeda Pharmaceuticals' acquisition of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, and with other strategic M&A transactions on the horizon, listen to our expert panel discuss the private equity landscape in the Japanese healthcare sector, and whether private equity has a role in inbound and outbound M&A. Our panelists will provide their insight into how foreign strategic buyers can leverage private equity for their own M&A opportunities and participate in investing in Japan's healthcare industry.

The event will be followed by a cocktail reception, providing opportunities to network with ACCJ, Japan Venture Capital Association, Japan Private Equity Association and Keizai Doyukai members.

Opening Remarks:

Yoshito Hori: Yoshito Hori is Managing Director of GLOBIS Capital Partners and President of the GLOBIS Management School.

Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Hiroshi Akimoto: Dr. Hiroshi Akimoto is President and CEO of Intellectual Property Strategy Network Inc. (IPSN) and former managing director of Takeda Pharmaceutical. He joined Takeda Pharmaceutical in 1972 and from 1992, Dr. Akimoto engaged in the study of drug discovery (antibiotic substances and anticancer drugs) as the director of the Third Drug Discovery Laboratory. In 1994 he was appointed as the manager of the Intellectual Property Department of the company and then assumed the post of the executive managing director in 2003. He established Intellectual Property Strategy Network, Inc. in 2009, which organizes and manages a creative IP network consisting of universities, research institutes, venture companies and R&D oriented companies.

Panelists:

Dr. Hiromichi Kimura: Dr. Hiromichi Kimura is CEO & Managing Partner, Life Science Management, Inc. and Chairman of the Medical Industry Innovation Institute. In 1986 he joined J.P. Morgan as Vice President, Financial Advisory and Mergers & Acquisitions Division with responsibility for the execution and marketing of cross-border M&A transactions in the pharmaceutical, high-tech and chemical industries. He holds an MBA from Stanford University and received a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Tokyo.

Hiromichi Mizuno: Hiromichi Mizuno is Head of Asia and Partner at Coller Capital Ltd. Prior to joining Coller Capital in 2003, Hiro held senior posts as Head of Sumitomo Trust's private equity investment and Japanese corporate finance divisions in New York. He holds a Bachelors of Law degree from Osaka City University, Japan, and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

Tom Noda: Tom Noda is Managing Director of AlixPartners, a global turnaround consulting firm, and co-Japan representative. Tom's primary strength is cross-border M&A/PMI, performance improvement and holistic turnaround in healthcare, chemical, manufacturing, and IT. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Keio University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Taro Inaba: Taro Inaba is General Manager of the Cleantech and Healthcare Investment Department, Principal Investment Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and is responsible for Mitsui's principal investments in those areas. He has more than 22 years experience in business development, investment and management in life science and chemical industries. From 2000, Taro was President & CEO at Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners, Inc. (Mitsui Ventures) in Menlo Park, California. He was responsible for managing Mitsui's venture investment funds where he generated and executed more than 15 unique investment opportunities in the healthcare and cleantech areas and delivered a top-tier return on invested capital. Taro is Co-Founder of Koinobori (Tokyo, Japan), a philanthropic project to accelerate drug development for rare diseases. He received an MBA from the European University in Lisbon, a Bachelor in Engineering in Polymer Chemistry from Kyoto University, and is a CFA charter holder.

Moderator:

Rami Suzuki: Rami Suzuki, Ph.D. is Group Officer, Executive Director, Head of Corporate Business Development at Eisai Co., Ltd. Rami moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 15 and at 20 decided to spend the rest of her life finding cures for cancer. She received a Ph.D. in Medicine at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at University College London and a postdoc at Imperial College. After spending a few years as a life science venture capitalist in London, she joined Eisai's European Headquarters in 2004, returning to Japan in 2006 and leading Eisai's Corporate Business Development since 2011. Her recent interest includes Patient Empowerment, Big Data in Life Sciences and Shared Values.

Agenda:

5:00 p.m. Doors open
5:10 - 5:15 p.m. Welcome and announcements
5:15 - 5:20 p.m. Opening Remarks
5:20 - 5:50 p.m. Keynote Address
5:50 - 6:50 p.m. Panel Discussion
6:50 - 7:20 p.m. Q&A
7:20 - 8:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception

Kenneth Lebrun, Chair
Shaun Dubin, Scott Sugino, Vice-Chairs
ACCJ Foreign Direct Investment Committee

NOTE 1: This event is OFF THE RECORD.

NOTE 2: If you cancel after the stated deadline, the full meeting fee will be charged to your account. Sorry, no substitutions or walk-ins.

NOTE 3: If you are driving to Tokyo American Club, please inform the ACCJ of the make, model, color and plate of the vehicle, by the registration deadline, as arrangements must be made. A 1,000 yen parking fee will apply.