Atsushi Usami

Background

About Atsushi Usami

I hold a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Tokyo. Before joining UTEC in October 2013, I worked as a consultant at Mitsubishi Research Institute, where I provided strategic consulting across a wide range of areas, including mid- to long-term business planning and new business development, for pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and other manufacturing firms. As a Partner and Board Director at UTEC, I focus on venture investments and management support primarily for seed and early-stage startups in the life sciences sector. I co-founded companies such as OriCiro Genomics, Inc.(acquired by Moderna, Inc.) and Repertoire Genesis, Inc.(acquired by Eurofins Scientific SE), where I not only led investment efforts but also provided active management support. Currently, I serve on the boards of approximately 10 startups in Japan and the U.S. In 2023, I was recognized as one of Japan’s most influential venture capitalists by Forbes Japan and received the Venture Capitalist Encouragement Award at the 23rd Japan Venture Awards. I also serve as a project evaluation committee member for the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and support the Life Science Innovation Network Japan (LINK-J).