Ryuji Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D.

Founder of R-Tech Ueno, Dr. Ryuji Ueno is an internationally recognized researcher in pharmacology, physiology and the biochemistry of endogenic functional fatty acids and their related compounds.

In the 1980´s, as a leader of the Transfer Properties Research Group with the Hayaishi Bioinformation Transfer Project of the Research Development Corporation, Dr. Ueno discovered a novel class of functional fatty acids that has potential in medical applications. Over 650 patents concerning these functional fatty acids have been filed worldwide and are presently held by Sucampo AG. Dr. Ueno established R-Tech Ueno in 1989 in order to develop the newly discovered group of compounds as pharmaceutical products.

With the successful development of a glaucoma and ocular hypertension medication, Rescula® was launched in Japan in 1994.

In 1996, Dr. Ueno moved his research base to the United States.

As a leading expert in the field of functional fatty acids, Dr. Ueno has published more than 100 papers in medical and scientific journals. Dr. Ueno received his PhD in medicine from Keio University, and PhD in pharmacology from Osaka University.

Sachiko Kuno, Ph.D.

Sachiko Kuno, PhD. joined Dr. Ueno in the mid-1980's, developing newly discovered functional fatty acids into pharmaceutical products. As a result of their collaborative efforts, Rescula® Eye Drops, glaucoma and ocular hypertension medication, was launched in Japan in 1994.

In 1996, Dr. Kuno, together with Dr. Ueno, founded Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in the U.S. She was named CEO.

Dr. Kuno has more than 20 years of experience in scientific research. She was a member of the Hayaishi Bioinformation Transfer Project with the Research Development Corporation of Japan, and has made many outstanding achievements at various cutting-edge research institutes. She has expertise in pharmaceutical product development and project management, as well as expertise in the submission of Investigational New Drug and New Drug Approval applications to health regulatory authorities in Japan and in the U.S.

Dr. Kuno received a PhD in Industrial Biochemistry from Kyoto University. She continued her research at the Technical University of Munich (Germany), and she has completed coursework in International Business Management at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

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