Grand Prix Announced for Medical Device-Focused Acceleration Program 'MedTech Angels Season5 (2025–2026)'

Premo Partners Co., Ltd. (hereinafter 'Premo Partners'), an incubator specializing in medical device development, held the 'MedTech Angels Season5 (2025) Demo Day' on May 21, 2026, in Nihonbashi, Tokyo.

The event attracted numerous attendees, including investors, corporate partners, and medical professionals, with approximately 150 participants in person and online. Six teams pioneering the future of healthcare showcased their technologies and visions.

　Six Teams Pioneering the Future of Medicine Take the Stage

At the Season5 Demo Day, the following six teams presented their business achievements:

Ivec Inc.

Development of an intravascular platform enabling minimally invasive, high-precision, and wide-range brain information input/output

Notter Inc.

One-minute diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome

Medculation Inc.

A new treatment option for pelvic cancer — Development of a dedicated medical device for NIPP

Muscle Blueprints Inc.

Unlocking airway blockages — Next-generation wearable SaaS that reduces the 50% dropout rate of existing treatments to zero

University of Tokyo, Sekino Laboratory

Development of a home treatment device for depression patients unresponsive to medication

Cellfold Inc.

Development of an innovative vascular regeneration therapy using Injectable Cell Scaffold (ICS)

　Grand Prix Announcement and Alumni Sessions Energize Demo Day

In its fifth season, Cellfold Inc. was selected as the Grand Prix winner.

Following the pitches, Chisato Saeki, CEO of SONoALS and last year’s Grand Prix winner, and Takafumi Kubota, representative of Tohoku University Epilepsy Division and perple, who participated in Season4, delivered a lecture titled 'One Year with Season4 Alumni.' They also held a dialogue discussing their transformations before and after the program and their current initiatives.

Additionally, Yuushi Takeuchi, CEO of Direava Inc., presented a talk titled 'Season2 Alumni Speak: Their Journey and Growth,' followed by a dialogue with Kumiko Sakurai, CEO of Premo Partners. The sessions sparked active Q&A and vibrant exchanges among attendees.

Articles summarizing the alumni’s post-program journeys and growth trajectories will be published at a later date.

　Introducing the Grand Prix Winner

— Cellfold Inc.: 'Development of an Innovative Vascular Regeneration Therapy Using ICS'

Cellfold Inc. presented a novel vascular regeneration therapy for critical limb ischemia (CLI) and won the Grand Prix.

Critical limb ischemia is a disease characterized by severely reduced blood flow to the legs, which can lead to limb amputation in severe cases. However, effective treatments for patients who do not respond to existing therapies are limited, posing a major challenge in clinical practice.

The company’s 'ICS (Injectable Cell Scaffold)' technology promotes improved blood flow and ulcer healing by retaining transplanted cells at the affected site for extended periods. By using non-cultured cells, it is expected to become a low-cost and highly practical treatment.

Currently, physician-led clinical trials are underway, with promising early results reported, including improvements in refractory ulcers and pain. The company aims for regulatory approval and market launch by 2031, with clinical trials planned not only in Japan but also in the United States.

Kenichi Yamahara, CEO of Cellfold Inc., commented, 'We are deeply honored to receive this award. We aim to expand into overseas markets and drive market development.'

　Special Awards Announced by Sponsoring Companies

The Special Awards are presented to teams highly evaluated by each sponsor company from their unique perspectives. Winning teams receive benefits from the sponsors to support business growth and social implementation.

Life Science Award: University of Tokyo, Sekino Laboratory

Teijin Pharma Award: Notter Inc.

BD Fund Award: Medculation Inc.

Orba Healthcare Award: Ivec Inc.

RD Support Award: Notter Inc.

Sponsoring companies expressed high expectations for the future growth and real-world implementation of the awarded teams.

　Messages from the Judges

— Rising Pitch Quality and Growing Ecosystem

Judges praised the 'continuously improving pitch quality year after year' and noted that 'the ecosystem surrounding medical device startups is steadily expanding.'

They also emphasized the importance of continuous support from VCs, corporations, and support organizations, expressing strong expectations for the teams’ future growth. While acknowledging the ongoing challenges in the MedTech startup environment, they highlighted the increasing number of Japan-born technologies and services, underscoring the importance of supportive communities and collaborations.

【Judges (in no particular order)】

Ryosuke Kimura (Founder & Managing Partner, Lifetime Ventures)

Yohei Maeshima (President & CEO, Orba Healthcare Holdings)

Masahiro Takeuchi (Advisor, LINK-J; Mitsui Fudosan)

Saho Murakami (CEO, VISIONEO)

Masaru Nagura (CEO, FoundersNation)

　The Future of MedTech Angels

— The Next Five Years, Walking with Bold Entrepreneurs

Yujiro Maeda, Co-Founder of Premo Partners and Acceleration Director of MedTech Angels, reflected on the program’s fifth anniversary, stating, 'We set out to create a medical device accelerator by Japan, for Japan, and for the world.'

He concluded by reaffirming the commitment to continue supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.

Kumiko Sakurai, CEO of Premo Partners, quoted the African proverb, 'If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,' emphasizing that collaboration with diverse supporters is essential for MedTech startups.

'Regulatory approval, insurance reimbursement, and business expansion cannot be achieved alone. I encourage you to move forward by leveraging the support of incubators, VCs, and experts,' she said, sending encouragement to the participants.

She also noted that while Japan’s MedTech startup market is still developing, the number of innovators has steadily increased over the past five years. 'We aim to cultivate an alumni community where even failures can be shared openly,' sharing her vision for the future and expressing hope for the years ahead.

Details regarding the upcoming 'MedTech Angels Season6' will be announced separately once finalized.

　Program Overview

— 'MedTech Angels': Accelerating Medical Device Startup Commercialization

MedTech Angels is Japan’s first acceleration program dedicated to medical technology (MedTech), hosted by Premo Partners. It provides hands-on support to entrepreneurs and startups aiming to innovate in healthcare through medical devices, digital health, and AI-powered medical software.

The program is based on the global medical device entrepreneurship framework 'Biodesign Method,' guiding participants from clinical needs assessment to regulatory strategy, reimbursement planning, and business development.