Date: March 16, 2015
Time: 16:30-18:00 (Reception followed discussion)
Venue: Osaka International Convention Center, Room 804 (Access)
Participation Fee: None

Japan’s global health strategy has great implications for the future of Japan, where open innovation continues to lag as we see the US and European companies taking the lead on new formulations and compounds. Yet, Japan has a broad range of chemical libraries and some of the greatest research talent in the world. By using these resources, Japan has the potential to catalyze domestic innovation while improving the health of developing countries through continued R&D to address neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), diseases that significantly reduce quality of life while hampering social and economic development.

At this event, Dr. Kei Katsuno, Director of Portfolio Strategy & Programs, Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund), provided concrete examples of the ways Japanese companies and the research sector are mobilizing to catalyze this growth through the pursuit of clinical research in global health. He also spoke on the GHIT Fund’s three platforms: Screening Platform, Hit-to-Lead Platform, and Target Research Platform. Dr. Akira Naito, Head of Infectious Diseases, Discovery Research Laboratory for Core Therapeutic Areaｓ, SHIONOGI & Co., LTD, shared his experience working on research for HIV drugs and his organization’s relationship with the GHIT Fund. Dr. Toshio Miyata, Executive Director, Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), who was a critical contributor to the recent reform of pharmaceutical legislation, explained why innovation and R&D are critical components to the future of Japan’s healthcare industry and the success of the Abe Administration’s financial revitalization strategy, particularly the third arrow.

Topics of discussion included the sustainability of businesses that invest in treatments for NTDs, the future of GHIT Fund’s portfolio, and, given the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in developing countries, the role of NCD research in global health. 


Kei Katsuno, MD, MPH
Director of Portfolio Strategy & Programs
Global Health Innovative Technology Fund
Kei Katsuno is Director of Portfolio Strategy and Programs at the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund). Prior to his current assignment, he was engaged in the Japan-World Bank Partnership Program on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as Health Specialist at the World Bank, following his completion of the fellowship at the Asia Pacific Leadership Program in the East West Center. He graduated from the University of Tokyo with a medical degree and has worked as a medical doctor in the Emergency Medicine Department of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (formerly; International Medical Center of Japan). He possesses both Japanese and the US medical licenses. He completed the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the Johns Hopkins University as a Fulbright Scholar.

Akira Naito, MD
Head of Infectious Diseases, Discovery Research Laboratory for Core Therapeutic Areaｓ
SHIONOGI & Co., LTD
After completing a Masters in Engineering at Osaka University in 1988, Dr. Akira Naito joined Shionogi & Co., Ltd and began his medical career. In 1997, Dr. Naito completed his medical training from Osaka University. Between 1997 to 2009, he headed the virology and anti-fungal pharmaceutical research department at Shionogi. In 2004, he studied abroad at University of Wisconsin’s Madison School to further research viruses. Between 2010 and 2012, he led the research and patient strategy department and was involved in research management. Since 2013, he has been working with infectious disease and focused on drug development for infectious diseases.

Toshio Miyata, MD
Executive Director
HGPI
Please find Dr. Miyata’s profile here.

Registration deadline: 2015-03-16

Exhibition date：2015-03-16