[Yoshiharu Mizui at Eisai Innovation offices]
How long have you been working in Boston?
I’ve worked in Boston for approximately 10 years. My first assignment here was assisting in the establishment of H3 Biomedicine, Inc., a company that was dedicated to cancer drug discovery, where I led research as a founding member from 2011 to 2016. In my current assignment, I helped establish Eisai Innovation, Inc., a strategic investment organization aspiring to identify synergies between the scientific community and the Eisai network of companies, which was founded in 2019. I fell in love with Boston during my first stay, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work here again.
What does your company do?
Eisai Co., Ltd. is a global pharmaceutical company founded in Japan in 1941. Eisai researches
and develops medicines worldwide, focusing on oncology and neurological disorders. Our
regulatory approved therapies include treatments for Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, cancer, and sleep disorders. The company focuses on treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, primarily Alzheimer's disease, and refractory cancers. Eisai's corporate mission, known as human health care (hhc), is “to give first thought to patients and the people in the daily living domain, and increase the benefits that health care provides to them as well as meet diverse healthcare needs worldwide.”
We strive to bring innovations to improve the lives of patients and their families. Eisai has maintained a research presence in the Boston area since establishing its Andover research facility in 1987, which was moved to Cambridge in 2019 where it continues to operate today. In 2019, we launched Eisai Innovation, Inc. to invest in biotech ventures, and further strengthening Boston as a key strategic hub for the company.
What are the benefits and challenges of working in America?
The U.S. is a global leader in drug development and innovation, as well as the world's largest pharmaceutical market. The country has a concentration of key players in drug discovery, including universities, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and investors, all operating within one of the most well-regulated environments. Being based in the U.S. allows us to accelerate the R&D process from research and clinical development to regulatory approval and commercialization, enabling us to deliver new drugs to patients faster. On the other hand, the competition is extremely fierce, with global pharmaceutical companies all vying to innovate here, necessitating a focused strategy leveraging our company’s strengths.
What is your favorite thing about Boston?
There is so much to love about Boston, but one standout feature is the concentration of world-class universities such as Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It is also the home of cutting-edge hospitals like Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and many pharmaceutical companies and biotech research institutions. The level of science here is unmatched globally. With all these key players located in a relatively small area, it’s easy to have face-to-face access to specialists in specific fields, as well as initiate collaborations. As a fellow scientist, I really appreciate the shared enthusiasm for scientific dialogue here.
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