HK

Hiromichi Kimura

Investment Director at Astellas Venture Management LLC

United States

Overview 

Hiromichi Kimura is a Ph.D. scientist with a strong background in molecular biology and oncology, currently serving as an Investment Director at Astellas Venture Management LLC and a Senior Director at Astellas Pharma US. He has made significant investments in companies like Casma Therapeutics and DEM BioPharma, demonstrating expertise in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Kimura has held leadership positions at Takeda Oncology and conducted postdoctoral research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, showcasing a diverse career spanning academia, industry, and investment. His involvement in Series A and Series C funding rounds highlights his strategic role in shaping the growth of emerging life sciences companies.

Work Experience 

  • Entrepreneur, Founder, Global Life Science Investor, Professorship (2018-)

    2024 - Current

    Entrepreneur, Founder (Stealth startup in preparation), Global Life Science Investor, Professorship(2018-present), Advisor for several global consulting firms

  • Director/Lead

    2023 - 2024

    Business Development, Corporate Development, Strategic Operation Global Search and Evaluation, support for Early stage Bioventure VC collaboration strategy Commercial product marketing strategy planning and development

  • Investment Director

    2018 - 2023

    Strategic Biotech Investor, Board Director (Casma, DEM Bio, NeoPhore, Solu, Others), NewCo creation, Advisory member (Top tier venture funds), Academic appointment (The University of Tokyo) Led and achieved 11 qualified investments to early stage Bioventures and built 3 strategic LP partnerships with top 1&2 venture capitals from deal due diligence to execution of agreements under my supervision last 2 years. Some of Bioventures have reached out to Pharma deals. The activity has been ranked at 7th global Pharma CVC, reported in Silicon Valley Bank Report 2021 Organization management to upgrade to professional global standard including budget, people, legal, IP, venture capital tasks.

  • Research Manager/Senior Director

    2014 - 2018

    Post merger integration as cross-functional leadership in Research and Manufacture, IP & legal (Ganymed<VYROY>, Ogeda<VEOZA>, Quethera), Oncology drug discovery, Management of Local and Global research collaborations including CRUK, Translational Science, Project based partnership Management: People, Budget, Legal documents, External relationships Supervised/managed over 10 oncology programs Co-founded Kyoto University-Astellas Drug discovery incubator in Kyoto University.

  • Dual position/Associate Director/Research head/Head of Department in Pharmacology

    2013 - 2014

    Protein homeostasis in Oncology

  • Associate Director/Research head/Head of Department in Pharmacology (SRC)

    2007 - 2014

    Drug discovery (generated first in class 10+ programs as lead and Head), Translational Science in Oncology, Global organizational collaboration with Takeda San Francisco, Takeda San Diego, and Millennium: Takeda Oncology Management: People, Budget, Organization, Annual planning, cross-functional projects

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate (Tom Curran, FRS lab)

    2001 - 2007

    Academic independent position (2006-2007) Basic and Translational Science in Oncology Long-term collaboration with Genentech (Fred de Sauvage) and Curis (Lee Rubin) for Drug Discovery and Translational Science in Hedgehog Antagonist Program (Vismodegib has been Approved by FDA in 2012, now became blockbaster) AACR Scholar in Awards (2003, 2006, 2007) International Congress Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Young Scientist Award (2006) International Congress Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Best Presentation Award (2006)

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow of JSPS for Young Scientist

    2000 - 2002

    Molecular biology, Cellular proliferation, Epigenetics

  • Clinical Development Associate

    1993 - 1994

    Early-career role in clinical development, working within a planning team for drug development strategy of Finibax Ph2 study. This foundational experience helped shape a cross-functional perspective on R&D, medical, and regulatory dynamics.

Articles About Hiromichi

Relevant Websites