Team

Team with experience and expertise

“Whizzo” specialists with proven track records have got together to form Whiz Partners Inc. By uniting its members’ experience and expertise, Whiz Partners will develop and implement innovative, feasible investment strategies.

Investment Team

Atsushi MatsumuraPresident & CEO, Member of the Board

2021: President & CEO Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2010: Founder, Whiz Partners Inc.
2008: Representative Director, Quiet Partners Inc.
2003: Co-Head of Corporate Finance, Nomura International Plc.
1986: Nomura Securities Co.,Ltd.

Satoru IinoCOO and CFO, Member of the Board

2024: Member of the board, COO, CFO Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2021: Member of the board, COO, Co-CIO Whiz Partners Inc.
2015: Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer Whiz Partners Inc.
2010: Managing Director, Whiz Partners, Inc.
2004: Board Member, CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
2000: CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
1989: Hitachi, Ltd.

Fujisawa

Tomoyuki FujisawaCIO, Member of the Board

2024: Member of the board, CIO Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2012: Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
2011: Senior Director, Research Alliance Office, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.(“Takeda”)
2008: Senior Director, Global Licensing and Business Development, Takeda
2005: Senior Manager , Global Licensing and Business Development, Takeda
2002: Manger, Scientific Evaluation, Takeda Venture Inc. (USA)
1992: Researcher, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda

Masayuki IiPhD, Chief Scientific Officer

2022: CSO, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2022: CSO & Head, Applied Regulatory Science, Axcelead DDP. (to present)
2017: Head, Integrated Biology, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc.(Axcelead DDP)
2012: Head, Inflammation Drug Discovery Unit, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda
2008: Associate Director, Global Research Management Office, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda
2006: Senior Research Manager, Takeda Global Research and Development Center (US)
2004: Associate Director, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda
2003: Visiting Scientist, Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute (US)
1990: Research Scientist, Research and Development Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Takeda”)

Takeda

Hiroshi TakedaManaging Director

2021: Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc.(to present)
2016: Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
2014: Manager, REANDA INTERNATIONAL LLKG
2011: Mirai Consulting Inc.
2009: Executive Officer, RH Traveler Corp.
2007: CEO, Asian Eight Corp.
2007: Head of business strategy division, Red Horse Corporation
2000: Takihyo Co., Ltd.

Fujioto

Hiroshi FujiotoManaging Director

2017: Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc.(to present)
2008: Executive Portfolio Manager, DIAM Co.,Ltd.
1998: Head of currency options, The Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd.
1983: The Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd.

Wada

Seiichiro WadaManaging Director

2023: Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2017: Audit & Supervisory Board Member, Nomura Real Estate Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2015: Senior Managing Director, Nomura Real Estate Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2013: Managing Director, International Sales & Marketing, Nomura Real Estate Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2008: Managing Director, Real Estate Investment, Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.
1986: Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.

Todokoro

Nobuhiro TodokoroManaging Director

2023: Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2022: Representative Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Nitto Denko Corporation
2021: Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Nitto Denko Corporation
2019: Director, Managing Executive Officer, Nitto Denko Corporation
2017: Executive Officer, General Manager of Information Functional Materials Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation; Director, Senior Executive Officer, General Manager of Information Functional Materials Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation
2015: Executive Officer, General Manager of Information Functional Materials Division, Information Functional Materials Business Unit, Nitto Denko Corporation
1989: Nitto Denko Corporation

Seino

Mitsuru SeinoManaging Director

2024: Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2019: General Manager (Japan President), Colorcon Inc.
2015: Regional Sales Director, Catalent Japan
2006: Representative Director, Omnicare Clinical Research
2001: Brand Manager, Masterfoods Limited (Mars)
2000: General Manager, President Office, IBRD JAPAN Co.
1992: Fine-chemical Department, MITSUI & CO., LTD.

Hasegawa

Yuki HasegawaPh.D. Head of Healthcare Investment

2021: Head of Healthcare Investment, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2019: Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
2016: Associate Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
2014: Researcher , Asahi KASEI
2013: Deputy Team Leader, Center for Life Science Technologies,RIKEN
2010: Research Scientist, Omics Science Center, RIKEN, Visiting Assistant Professor, YCU
2008: Postdoctoral Fellow, Omics Science Center,RIKEN
2007: Researcher, Genome Science Center, RIKEN

Suzuki

Takahiro SuzukiPh.D. Director

2022: Director, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2022: Visiting Senior Scientist, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (to present)
2019: Visiting Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University (to present)
2019: Senior Research Scientist, RIKEN Integrative Medical Sciences
2012: Research Scientist, RIKEN Omics Science Center
2009: Research Fellow, RIKEN Omics Science center
2003: Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Senior Master Sergeant

Sasaki

Mitsuo TakahashiDirector

2024: Director, Whiz Partners Inc.(to present)
2022: Sales Manager of Saitama Sales Office, ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
2017: Sales Manager of North Kanto Sales Office 2, ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
2002: TEIKOKU HORMONE MFG. CO., LTD. (ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)

Yokota

Eri YokotaCreative Director, Public Relations

2023: Creative Director, PR, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2021: PR/IR, Whiz Partners Inc.
2016: Associate, Whiz Partners Inc.
2005: SP/ PR Manager, Cold Stone Creamery Japan
2003: Investment Associate, Kiacon Inc.
2001: Sales Associate, Nomura Scurities Co, Ltd.

Sho OeDirector

2024: Director, Whiz Partners Inc.（to present）
2023: Accenture Japan Ltd
2022: General Manager, Brand Strategy Department, ALBERT Inc.
2019: ALBERT Inc.
2010: AD Investment Management Co.,Ltd. (ITOCHU REIT Management Co.,Ltd.)
2008: Pacific Management Co., Ltd.

Member of The Board

Ando

Toshio AndoChairman, Member of the board

2021: Chairman, Member of the board (to present)
2011: Founder, Whiz Partners Inc.
2006: Chairman, Japan Securities Dealers Association Adviser, Nomura Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
2003: Chairman, The Investment Trusts Association, Japan
2002: Chairman and Representative Executive Officer, Nomura Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
2001: Director and Member of the Board, Nomura Holdings, Inc.
2000: Executive Managing Director, Nomura Securities Co.,Ltd.

Transaction Management

Tatsuya YamadaGeneral manager transaction management division

2021: General manager transaction management division (to present)
2014: Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
2012: Associate Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
2010: Associate, Whiz Partners Inc.
2009: Joined CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
2008: Joined CSK Institute for Sustainability, Ltd.
2004: Manager, Medical Project Department, Link Consulting Associates Japan Corporation
2003: Joined Link Consulting Associates Japan Corporation

Compliance

Kitagawa

Kenji KitagawaChief Compliance Officer, Member of the Board

2022: Chief Compliance Officer, Whiz Partners Inc.
2014: Senior Managing Director, Head of Corporate Division, Head of Risk Management Division, Chief Risk Officer, Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2013: Senior Managing Director, Head of Corporate Division, Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2010: Chief Compliance Officer, Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2009: Head of Legal & Compliance Dept. Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2007: Legal & Compliance Dept. Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
1995: Manager, Corporate Planning Dept. Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.
1988: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Law
1984: Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.

Administration

Kajimoto

Junichi KajimotoFounder, Chief Financial Officer, Member of the Board

2010: Chief Financial Officer, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2004: Member of the Board, Quiet Partners Inc.
2000: Accounting General, Administration Department, Faith, Inc.
1995: Toshiba Plant Kensetsu Co., Ltd. (current Toshiba Plant Systems & Services Corporation)

Takashi YamaguchiGeneral Manager, Administration dept.

2021: General Manager, Administration dept. Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2011: Administration Manager, Whiz Partners Inc.
2010: General Manager, Administration dept. CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
1997: Legal Manager, Administration Development dept. CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
1995: Investment Development dept. CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.

Yamauchi

Takeshi YamauchiAdministration Manager

2021: Administration Manager, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2016: Head of Administration group, Asset Management One Co.,Ltd.
2015: Senior Executive Officer, Deputy Head of Planning Group, Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2010: Executive officer, General Manager of HR Department, Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd
2007: General Manager of Investment risk management Department, Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd.
2006: General Manager of Compliance Department, Daiichi Kangyo Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
2004: General Manager of Investment Planning Department, Daiichi Kangyo Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
1987: Equity Analyst, Portfolio manager, Asahi Investment Trust Management Co.,Ltd.

Nishida

Tomoko NishidaAccounting Manager

2010: Accounting Manager, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2004: CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.

Mizusawa

Noriko MizusawaSecretary Manager

2010: Secretary Manager, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2002: Manager, Enright Real Estate Co., Japan Ltd.

Auditor

Tetsuya KawakamiFull-time Auditor

2015: Auditor, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2011: President of Industry-Academia Joint Committee on Highly Qualified Human Resources in Finance
2009: Visiting Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University Graduate School of Business Strategic Studies
2009: Auditor – Secretary of the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management
2007: Principal of Panasonic Accounting University Kansai Economic Federation councilor
2007: CFO Association Japan director
2006: Executive Vice President of Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Ltd.(current Panasonic Corporation )

Takashi EjiriAuditor

2017: Senior Partner, ITN Partners (to present)
2015: Member of the board, Whiz Partners (to present)
2007: Founding Partner, Nishimura Asahi LPC
2005: Auditor of The SBI Children’s Hope Foundation
1995: Secretary General of Inter-Pacific Bar Association
1986: Japan Federation of Bar Associations (served as Vice-Chairman, International Relations Committee)
1977: Establish Masuda and Ejiri Law Office
1969: Certified as an attorney

Tatsuya NakajimaAuditor (Certified Public Accountant)

2023: TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO.,LTD. (to present)
2021: Auditor, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
2020: Auditor CBC Co.,Ltd. (to present)
2020: President, Tatsuya Nakajima CPA Office (to present)
2016: Serve concurrently in Audit & Assurance Services Division, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC and Internal Audit Office, Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC
2007: Partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC
1995: Registration of Certified Public Accountant
1990: Joined to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC

Medical Advisor

Sahohime MatsumotoM.D.

License

Japanese Board Certification of Internal Medicine
Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society
History

2016: Opened Matsumoto Medical Clinic (to present, concurrent)
2015: Medical Advisor in WHIZ PARTNERS (to present)
2009: Project Assistant Professor, University of Tokyo Hospital
2006: Research Fellowship for Young Scientists, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
2002: University of Tokyo Hospital
Doctoral Course, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
2000: Mitsui Memorial Hotel
1999: Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine
University of Tokyo Hospital

Toru HosadaM.D.

License

1994: Japanese National Board of Medicine
2003: Japanese Board Certification of Internal Medicine

History

2019: Director of General Medicine, Sakakibara Heart Institute (to present)
2016: Medical Advisor in WHIZ PARTNERS (to present, concurrent)
2011: Associate Professor of Institute of Innovative Science and Technology, Tokai University
2010: Assistant Professor of Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
2005: Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, New York Medical College
2003: Lecturer of Clinical Bioinformatics, the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine
2000: PhD from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine
1994: Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine

hiraoka

Mikiko HiraokaM.D.

License

2016: Japanese National Board of Medicine
2022: Japanese Board of Anti-aging Medicine
2023: Japanese Board of Dermatology

History

2023: Medical Advisor in WHIZ PARTNERS (to present)
2021: Toranomon Hospital
2020: The University of Tokyo Hospital
2016: Japanese Red Cross Medical Center
2016: Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine