Saisei Ventures Launches Executive Fellows Program Aiming to Enhance Japan’s Biotech Leadership Pipeline

Saisei Ventures, a leading venture investment firm focused on advancing Japanese biotechnology and therapeutic innovations, today announced the launch of its Executive Fellows Program, a structured mentorship initiative designed to strengthen the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs and executives in Japan. By pairing experienced global biotech leaders with executives from Saisei’s Japanese portfolio companies, the Executive Fellows Program will facilitate knowledge transfer, leadership development and create a network effect of entrepreneurship, helping to bridge this gap and advance Japan’s biotechnology entrepreneur sector.

The program’s inaugural mentors include:

• Jeff Abbey – A seasoned biotech executive with a strong track record in strategic leadership, fundraising and business development, Mr. Abbey was previously COO and CBO at ImmunOs Therapeutics, CEO at Novadip Biosciences, and CEO at Argos Therapeutics, an oncology cell therapy company. Mr. Abbey successfully led Argos through completion of a Phase III clinical trial, raising over $250 million in equity financings, including an initial public offering (Nasdaq), and completed numerous partnering transactions with international biopharmaceutical companies.
• Usman “Oz” Azam, M.D. – Dr. Azam is an expert in cell and gene therapy development, corporate strategy and global market expansion, and currently serves as CEO of Inspirna, a company focused on discovering and developing innovative cancer treatments. Dr. Azam held numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including President and CEO of Tmunity Therapeutics, Global Head of Cell and Gene Therapies at Novartis, CEO of NovAccel Therapeutics, CMO of Aspreva Pharmaceuticals and CMO of Ethicon Johnson & Johnson.
• Miguel Forte, M.D., Ph.D. – Dr. Forte is a recognized leader in regenerative medicine and cell therapy, with extensive expertise in regulatory science, clinical development, and company growth. He has held leadership roles at BioSenic, Zelluna Immunotherapy, and TxCell. Dr. Forte also has extensive clinical, academic and regulatory experience in Portugal and at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), including serving as a CHMP member. He is President and member of the Board of Directors for the International Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT). He currently serves as CEO of Kiji Therapeutics.
• Audrey Greenberg, CPA, MBA – Ms. Greenberg is a globally recognized biotech executive, investor, and innovation architect with decades of leadership experience across capital markets, biotech strategy, and venture formation. She co-founded and served as Chief Business Officer of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines, where she raised $500 million, scaled the company into a premier cell and gene therapy CDMO, and led its acquisition by a global pharmaceutical manufacturer. Prior to CBM, Ms. Greenberg spent two decades as a private equity executive, investment banker, and public accountant, helping grow assets under management to over $100 billion.

The Executive Fellows Program is a key part of Saisei Ventures’ broader mission to not only provide capital but also cultivate the leadership and strategic capabilities required to build a globally competitive biotechnology industry in Japan. Through structured, one-on-one mentorship, portfolio company leaders will gain insights into drug development strategy, business leadership, fundraising and global market expansion.

“At Saisei, we believe that investing in visionary leadership is just as critical as investing in groundbreaking science,” said Jonathan Yeh, Managing Partner at Saisei Ventures. “Through the Executive Fellows Program, we aim to empower Japan’s next generation of biotech leaders with world-class mentorship, strategic guidance and a global perspective, ensuring they have the tools needed to drive innovation and build transformative companies from Japan to the global marketplace.”

About Saisei Ventures

Saisei Ventures is a life science venture capital firm dedicated to building next-generation companies in the healthcare sector. We create ventures that start from bold ideas and empower dynamic entrepreneurs by providing technical, operational, and financial guidance. Our approach combines Western expertise and Japanese innovations to build globally competitive companies that will have the greatest impact on patient lives. With operations in Japan and the United States, Saisei aims to enhance the value of its portfolio by leveraging its unique networks and the institutional advantages of both countries. For more information, visit https://www.saiseiventures.com/.

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