Chairman,
Shuji Inoue

Shuji Inoue spent almost 40 years at Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Corporation (now Astellas Pharma, Inc.) where he started his career in the Research and Development division, then took charges of Project Planning and Oversea Business Planning while residing in Europe. Through his experience in setting up and managing overseas subsidiaries, he was engaged in fundamental management of pharmaceutical company. During Fujisawa time, Shuji Inoue held prominent posts such as Executive Director and Senior Corporate Officer, and since July 2006, he took up an appointment as Chairman at R-Tech Ueno. Shuji Inoue is determined to bring successes to research and development and promotion projects flexibly, and in well-planned manners by gathering forces of company members and external manpower for specific objectives. In addition, he appoints himself as its “promoter”. He also intends to fulfill his accountability of business conditions and direction not only to shareholders but also to the society.

Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Masters Program graduate.

President,
Yukiko Hashitera

In 1989, Yukiko Hashitera participated in the research development of the glaucoma and ocular hypertension treating drug, Rescula® Eye Drops, the company’s central product. She also spearheaded the establishment of preliminary research and manufacturing technology for the chronic idiopathic constipation drug AMITIZA® , developed by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Bethesda, MD, USA). On top of facilitating the research development and manufacturing of these two new drugs, Hashitera is also responsible for  licensing and demonstrates her negotiation capability. In 2004 she was appointed Chief Operational Officer, and has been in her current position since April 2006. While creating a ready environment where everyone on site can work together efficiently and comfortably, Hashitera has also been immersed in the actualization of corporate governance and believes in a transparent business.

Managing Director,
Medical Director,
Yukihiko Mashima, M.D.

In April 2005, Dr. Mashima was appointed Director of R-Tech Ueno. Previously, as associate professor of Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Dr. Mashima specialized in molecular biology of hereditary eye disorders (i.e. corneal disorders, retinal disorders, Leber's herediary optic neuropathy and glaucoma). Since the identification of the glaucoma gene Myocillin in 1997, a path has been opened to the creation of safe and reliable treatments specific to the diagnoses of individual genetics, in other words, custom-made treatments for patients are now a possibility. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness not just in Japan, but the world, and the advances made in part through Dr. Mashima's research into it have garnered him a Medical Research grant from the Japan Medical Association in 2004. Since he joined R-Tech Ueno, Dr. Mashima has emphasized the development of new drugs that target ophthalmic diseases with no comprehensively effective cures with the Research & Development Division, which facilitates the exchange of shared research discoveries made in various research capacities throughout universities in and outside of Japan. Dr. Mashima also contributes actively to marketing & promotion as Medical Director.

Board Director (outside),
Toshio Iwasaki

Toshio Iwasaki first joined Mitsubishi Bank (Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ) where held positions as Deputy Director of Corporate Marketing, Deputy Director of Finance, Sub-manager of the Hong Kong Branch, Director of Investment Bonds Division, and Manager of the Toranomon Branch. Then in February 1999, he became Executive Managing Director at The Diamond Capital Company Limited. (Mitsubishi-UFJ Capital Co., Ltd.) and after resigning from his post in June of 2006, Toshio Iwasaki was inaugurated as Board Director of R-Tech Ueno.

Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo graduate.

Corporate Officer,
Director, Pharma Chemical Division,
Ryu Hirata

Ryu Hirata exercises general control over the R&D Lab's research developments and manufacturing division (drug substance and drug products) as Director of the Pharma-Chemical Division. Using his specialization in organic chemistry and structural science as a foundation, Hirata is responsible for CMC - Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control - and regulatory science in general. Hirata oversaw the properties, standardization and regulation of safety in the development of the Rescula® Eye drops. He also has professional experience in the United States, being actively involved in drug approval process with foreign regulating offices such as the FDA. He also has abundant experience in joint projects and outsourced production fulfillment overseas.

Hirata went to Nagoya University as an undergraduate as well as graduate student, specializing in Organic Reactive Compound Chemistry.

Corporate Officer,
Director, Prescription Drug Division,
Yoshiaki Yamana

Yoshiaki Yamana got his start with multinational pharmaceutical company Pfizer Ltd. (Pfizer), gaining practical experience in the business and marketing fields. As a medical representative for the pharmaceutical division, he worked at the forefront of the industry.  He then contributed to the creation of a management system of sales records in the Sale Planning Division. He also has a wealth of experience as a production manager in the marketing division. In 1995, Yamana transferred to the drug maker specializing in ophthalmic treatment drugs, actualizing the preeminence of new products. In particular, he put much effort into presenting clinical evidence of the efficacy of Glaucoma treatment drugs at important universities and has been a driving force to publish many papers. Since joining R-Tech Ueno as Director of the Prescription Drug Division, Yamana has established the marketing unit to enlarge the sales of Rescula® Eye drops. Furthermore, he has created a powerful network of expert doctors on the subject of Glaucoma, and always pushes forward in constructing evidence.

Yamana is a Keio Gijuku University Marketing Department graduate.

Corporate Officer,
Director, Research and Development Division,
Keizo Hanada

 Keizo Hanada started his career in developing antibiotics at Mercian Corporation (Kirin Holdings Company, Limited). He then joined Toray Industries, Inc. where he was involved in improving manufacturing process of gene recombinant products as well as in the search for novel bio-pharmaceuticals. Following this, he got engaged in research planning and business development including licensing activity at head office. He also took leadership in the clinical development of several projects. In 2003, he became director of Pharmaceutical Development Department at Bausch & Lomb Japan, Ltd. and he developed pharmaceutical products for vitreoretinal diseases.Since Hanada joined R-Tech Ueno, Ltd., in January 2008, he has been working on dry eye and retinal disease projects in Clinical Development Group. 

Department of Agriculture, Kyoto University Master Program graduate

Corporate Officer,
Director, Business Management Division,
Rie Takane

In 1993, Rie Takane joined Yasuda Mutual Life Insurance Company (now Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company) where she was in charge of new contract and maintenance procedures. From 1998 to 2002, she was involved in business expansion of Hiestand AG (Switzerland) in Japan as assistant to the President, interpreter, and translator. She then was responsible for sales & marketing support and recruitment. In 2003, she joined R-Tech Ueno and has taken charges of HR and administration aiming to the improvement of the company's working environment.

Department of English Literature of Aichi Shukutoku Junior College, associate.

Corporate Auditor,
Motoyuki Sakasegawa

After joining Sanwa Bank (now Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ), Sakasegawa worked at its San Francisco and New York Branches. He became an Manager in International Finance Department and then an Assistant General Manager in Foreign Business Promotion Department. He worked for Sanwa Business Credit Corporation and Mortgage Securities Depository Corporation as Managing Director. He was a Atatutory Auditor of UFJ Credit Guarantee Co., Ltd. and Angel Securities Co., Ltd. before being appointed to a Corporate Auditor of R-Tech Ueno in June 2007.

Faculty of Law, The University of Tokyo graduate.

Corporate Auditor (outside),
Eiji Asada

Certified Public Accountant. At Tohmatsu-Aoki Audit Corporation (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu) in Tokyo, Mr. Asada played roles as Representative Partner, Tokyo Area Managing Partner, and Chairman of Management Committee etc. In July 2004, he established Eiji Asada Accounting Firm while serving as Auditor for numerous large corporations including Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. Eiji Asada was appointed as R-Tech Ueno’s outside Auditor in July of 2006.

Economics Department of Yokohama National University, graduate.

Corporate Auditor (outside),
Kazuyuki Taguchi

Attorney. In 1991, Mr. Taguchi joined the Law offices of Abe, Ikubo and Katayama, and became partner in 1998. He has become outside Auditor for R-Tech Ueno since June 2006.

Law School of Kyoto University graduate.