News
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November 13, 2025Alchemedicine and RealizeEdge Partners Enter into Collaborative Alliance to Advance First-in-Class IBD Drug ALM0106
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November 11, 2025Press releaseRealizeEdge Partners Forms Alliance to Drive Innovation in Targeted Protein Degrader-Based Drug Discovery
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September 25, 2025Drug Discovery Ecosystem Development Support Project contracted with Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Our Value
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Putting Science First
- We begin with science. Every startup we support is grounded in sound hypotheses, rigorous technology, and original research, and we make decisions based on solid scientific evidence. In drug discovery, we believe science is the most reliable compass for navigating uncertainty and unlocking innovation.
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Integrating Strategy & Execution
- A strategy is only as valuable as its execution. We work side by side with founders from concept and strategy through operations, ensuring plans move beyond the drawing board and into execution.
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Delivering Global Impact
- Our goal is to bring scientific breakthroughs into society. To translate Japan-originated technologies and insights to solutions for global medical challenges, we provide comprehensive support grounded in international market dynamics and deployment potential.
Message
About Us
Team
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- Yoshitsugu Shitaka, Ph.D.President & CEO
- Former Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the Research Organization at Astellas Pharma, overseeing global research operations.
- Nearly 30 years of experience in drug discovery and business development, including service as President of the Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM) in the United States.
- Leadership in global drug discovery research across multiple therapeutic areas and innovative modalities.
- Representative Director and Chairperson (2023–2025) for the Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM), advancing regenerative medicine industrialization in Japan.
- Education: B.S., M.S., Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo.
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- Taro Masunaga, Ph.D.Executive Vice President, Business Development & CBO
- Former Executive Vice President and Head of Drug Discovery Accelerator at Astellas Pharma, focused on new therapeutic frontiers.
- Over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in Japan and the U.S., encompassing drug discovery research, CVC, early- stage business development, and portfolio management.
- Central role on the Pharma partner side in the founding, partnership, and acquisition of Mitobridge, a U.S.-based biotech company.
- Contribution to Japan's drug discovery ecosystem through internal venture programs and the launch of Sakulab.
- Education: Ph.D. from Hokkaido University; B.S. from Kyushu University.
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- Shinobu Mori, Ph.D.Executive Vice President, Business Operations & CAO
- Former Vice President and Head of Science Intelligence & Solutions at Astellas Pharma, driving new therapeutic area strategy.
- Over a decade of experience in evaluating and driving global collaborations and investment opportunities.
- Leadership in internal venture establishment and portfolio management.
- Key contribution to the development of the drug discovery ecosystem through external partnerships (Tsukuba and Kashiwa-no-ha areas).
- Education: B.S., M.S., Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University.
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- Masahiko Hayakawa, Ph.D.Executive Vice President, Drug Discovery
- Senior Vice President at Astellas Pharma, with leadership of multi-site, cross-functional teams across Japan, the US, and the UK.
- Track record of over 15 DC/IND candidates and advanced clinical programs in small molecules and targeted protein degradation.
- Strategic partnerships with institutions such as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).
- Founding of innovative research units, including Engineered Small Molecules and the Venture Unit.
- Education: Ph.D. from Tokyo University of Science; B.S. and M.S. from Nagoya University.
Company Profile
- Company Name
- RealizeEdge Partners Co., Ltd.
- Establishment
- April 2025
- HQ Office
- 2-3-11 Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0023, Japan
- Capital
- JPY 10,000,000
- Representative Director
- Yoshitsugu Shitaka Ph.D., President & CEO
- Employee
- 3
- Business Description
- Startup Launch Support in Pharmaceutical R&D
Company History
- July 2025
- Acquired former Triple Bridge Partners Co., Ltd.
- July 2025
- Entered into contract with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Drug Discovery Ecosystem Development Support Project (under former company name)
- August 2025
- Launched operations under new structure as RealizeEdge Partners Co., Ltd.
Scientific Advisory Board
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Toshihiko Doi, MD, PhD
Director, National Cancer Center Hospital East National Cancer Center Hospital East -
Dr. Toshihiko Doi is the Hospital Director of the National Cancer Center Hospital East and also serves as the Director of the Department of Advanced Medicine and the Translational Research Support Center.
As a specialist in gastrointestinal tumors, Dr. Doi has accumulated extensive clinical experience and has made significant contributions to cancer genome medicine, new drug development, and medical device research and development.Additionally, he leads various cutting-edge initiatives, including promoting medical innovation through industry-academia-government collaboration, telemedicine, medical digital transformation (DX), and supporting startups, paving the way for the future of cancer treatment.
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Ronald A DePinho, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Division of Discovery Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center -
Dr. Ronald A. DePinho is a globally renowned physician-scientist and Professor of Cancer Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. From 2011 to 2017, he served as the fourth President of MD Anderson, leading groundbreaking initiatives in cancer research and treatment.
His pioneering work focuses on the mechanisms of cancer and aging, particularly in telomere biology and tumor maintenance, contributing to the development of numerous targeted cancer therapies. Additionally, he played a key role in launching the Cancer Moon Shots Program, establishing a model to accelerate the translation of basic research into clinical applications.
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Eiryo Kawakami, MD, PhD
Professor, Chiba University Institute for Advanced Academic Research / Graduate School of Medicine - Dr. Eiryo Kawakami is a leading expert in medical data science and AI-driven healthcare. He is a professor at Chiba University and leads a research team at RIKEN. He has played key roles in national research programs, including JST ERATO and RIKEN’s medical innovation initiatives. In 2025, he became Chief Scientific Officer at THE PHAGE, where he develops AI-based solutions for chronic disease prevention. His work integrates innovative technologies such as real-world data, machine learning, and microfluidic devices to advance personalized medicine.
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Tom Luby, PhD
Chief Innovation Officer, Texas Medical Center (TMC) Innovation - Dr. Tom Luby leads initiatives in healthcare innovation, research, and commercialization in TMC. He previously served as Head of JLABS @ TMC, catalyzing the growth of early-stage life science ventures. At Johnson & Johnson Innovation, he played a key role in expanding JLABS to Toronto and fostering strategic partnerships. With over a decade of experience in biotech R&D and venture development—including successful early-stage investments in rare diseases—Dr. Luby has significantly shaped the biomedical innovation ecosystem.
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For Founders
RealizeEdge Partners provides support for the creation of startups based on promising drug discovery seeds. If you are interested in exploring potential collaboration, please complete the required fields in the contact form and submit your inquiry.
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Key Support Offerings
Hands-on support from drug discovery experts
- Developing a Target Product Profile (TPP)
- Designing study plans based on a TPP-oriented minimum package
- Guidance on intellectual property strategy and acquisition
- Preparation for regulatory consultations with the FDA or PMDA
- Planning and support for fundraising strategies toward startup formation
- Advisory services related to fundraising
- Identification of potential pharmaceutical partners
- Networking opportunity
- Decision-making advice at milestone
- Management guidance for the company just launched
Strategic guidance from a world-class Scientific Advisory Board members
Funding necessary to enhance the value of promising drug discovery seeds toward startup formation
Key Scope of support target
- Item
- Scope
- Field
- Therapeutics
- Therapeutic area
- Oncology, Immunology/Fibrosis, (We are open to exploring applications in other therapeutic areas as well if the seed is promising)
- Modality
- SMs, Nucleic Acid Therapeutics and mAbs including engineered one like PROTAC/DAC
- Development Stage
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- The development candidate has been identified, and IND-enabling studies are underway.
- Target validation using modality-specific tools has been completed, and optimization toward candidate identification is either in progress or about to begin.
- Initial target validation using KO mice, siRNA, or similar approaches has been completed, and modality-specific tools are being developed to conduct further validation.
Information to Submit via Contact Form
Please provide the following information:
Applicant Information
- Affiliation
- Full name
- Contact email address
Drug Discovery Seed Information
- Target disease(s)
- Modality
- Development stage
- Key points of competitiveness
After receiving your submission, we will review the content and, if necessary, follow up to discuss further before determining whether support can be provided.