#Japan #Drug Development #Chiyoda #Angel Bridge #AMED

Angel Bridge Selected as AMED Certified Venture Capital

Angel Bridge, an independent venture capital firm based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has recently been recognized as a certified venture capital (VC) by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). This announcement comes as a part of AMED's eighth round of applications for the Drug Venture Ecosystem Enhancement project, aimed at strengthening Japan's pharmaceutical startup ecosystem through substantial financial support.

Overview of AMED’s Initiative

AMED’s Drug Venture Ecosystem Enhancement project is primarily focused on addressing the critical shortage of funding sources for large-scale development in drug discovery. The initiative recognizes venture capitalists who provide hands-on support dedicated specifically to drug development startups. These certified VCs are expected to invest in ventures that are in various stages of the clinical trial process, including non-clinical testing, Phase I, and Phase II trials, thus fostering the practical development of groundbreaking drug discoveries emerging from Japan.

Value of Certified VC Status for Angel Bridge and Startups

Being recognized as a certified VC allows Angel Bridge to offer greater value to drug discovery startups seeking investment and assistance. The certification enables these ventures to apply for substantial grants available through AMED, further facilitating funding for drug development processes that are typically plagued by high costs and lengthy timelines. Traditional fundraising methods, primarily through equity issuance, can dilute the shareholding of management excessively; however, leveraging this government-supported program allows startups to procure the necessary development funding without surrendering equity. Consequently, ventures can engage in rapid and robust R&D efforts on a global scale.

Mission of Angel Bridge and Commitment to Deep Tech

Angel Bridge operates with a clear mission: to allocate capital wisely and effectively, enabling the emergence of numerous mega-ventures originating from Japan. They employ fact-based, in-depth business analysis to identify high-potential opportunities, ensuring significant and sustained investments that maximize enterprise value. With a focus on IT services, academic ventures, and deep tech, Angel Bridge has been backing promising startups, such as Heartseed, which aims at practical applications of heart muscle regeneration therapies using iPS cells. With the recent certification from AMED, they are poised to further amplify the societal implementation of advanced technologies and scientific breakthroughs nurtured within academia.

Remarks from CEO Yutaro Kawanishi

Expressing his pride in this certification, Yutaro Kawanishi, CEO of Angel Bridge, commented on the vast potential held by Japan’s universities and research institutions, which house numerous innovative drug initiatives capable of changing the world. To scale these initiatives into global mega-ventures, robust financial backing and incisive managerial support are paramount. The recognition as a certified VC means substantial governmental support through grant utilization, which in turn ensures accelerated growth trajectories for their portfolio companies. Kawanishi is committed to working alongside talented entrepreneurs and researchers who possess both exceptional skills and passion, striving tirelessly to expedite the delivery of innovative Japanese pharmaceuticals to patients across the globe.

Company Overview

• - Name: Angel Bridge, Inc.
• - CEO: Yutaro Kawanishi
• - Established: October 21, 2015
• - Location: 101 Kasamatsu Chiyoda Building, 2-17-4 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 100-0014
• - Contact: [email protected]