AN Venture Partners (ANV), a global biotech venture capital firm, today announced that Atsushi Shimada has been appointed Chief Technology Development Officer and specially appointed professor at Tohoku University's Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization.
The Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization leverages the university's core strengths to advance healthcare including pharmaceuticals spanning from basic research through clinical development and societal implementation. It also aims to connect academic discoveries to drug development through co-creation with industry partners.
The organization is building an advanced startup creation and business development framework modeled on Harvard University's Office of Technology Development. The Head of Technology Development will oversee business development and commercialization activities in the life sciences and drug discovery sectors.
Ken Horne, Managing Partner of ANV, commented: "We are delighted that Atsushi will play a pivotal role at the Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization, a hub for innovation in Japan. We are confident that his extensive experience and global perspective will make a significant contribution to the growth of university-based startups and Japan's life sciences ecosystem. We look forward to driving the growth of that ecosystem together, with Atsushi remaining a Venture Partner at ANV."
Atsushi commented: "I am deeply honored to join the Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization, which is at the forefront of drug discovery innovation in Japan. I am hoping to draw on my experience in commercialization and investment to contribute to the societal implementation of university-based scientific seeds and the creation of startups. I also look forward to continuing to support ANV as a venture partner and contribute to the further development of Japan's life sciences ecosystem."
