MUFG Capital Invests in KOEDA Co., Ltd., Developing Next-Generation Anchors for Innovative Digestive Disease Treatment
MUFG Capital has invested in KOEDA Co., Ltd., a medical device startup developing next-generation anchors for endoscopic treatment of digestive diseases. KOEDA aims to innovate treatments for acute cholecystitis and gastrojejunal bypass, planning clinical trials and expansion in Japan, the US, and Spain, supported by MUFG's network.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 21:00
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MUFG Capital Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takuo Kojima) announced that it has invested in KOEDA Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, KOEDA), which is developing organ-fixing anchors for endoscopic treatment, through a fund it operates (Mitsubishi UFJ Life Science Fund No. 4 Investment Limited Partnership).
## About KOEDA Co., Ltd.
KOEDA is a medical device development startup founded by Toru Okuzono, a gastroenterologist and endoscopy specialist, based on the results of joint research with the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering at Tohoku University. The company aims to bring innovative treatments to digestive diseases, including acute cholecystitis, by utilizing its organ-fixing anchor "KOEDA™".
For acute cholecystitis, the initial indication under development, treatment sometimes involves draining bile from the gallbladder to stabilize symptoms. Current mainstream methods, such as external catheter placement, present challenges like patient pain and risk of complications. KOEDA is expected to establish a treatment method that overcomes these issues using its uniquely developed anchor technology, while facilitating a smooth transition to endoscopic cholecystectomy, which is the standard surgical treatment for this disease.
Development for acute cholecystitis has already completed exploratory clinical trials. Plans are underway for confirmatory clinical trials in Japan and expansion into markets like the United States. As a next pipeline, the company is also targeting application for gastrojejunal bypass surgery, with animal studies progressing smoothly in Japan and Spain.
## Background of Investment
This developed product, which Mr. Okuzono has been advancing based on clinical needs as an endoscopy specialist, has received positive evaluations from Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) both domestically and internationally, and is expected to bring about a transformation in the treatment of digestive diseases, including acute cholecystitis. We believe that KOEDA's team, led by Representative Okuzono, an endoscopy specialist with many years of clinical and research experience, and Co-Representative Yagi, who has extensive experience at a major medical device manufacturer, can successfully develop this device and contribute to many patients both in Japan and abroad. This led to our current investment. We will leverage MUFG's network to support KOEDA's innovative technology in becoming socially implemented.
Contact: Life Science Department, Hiroki Kubo
### [About KOEDA Co., Ltd.]
Company Name: KOEDA Co., Ltd.
Location: Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Representatives: Toru Okuzono, Representative Director / Masahiro Yagi, Representative Director
Established: September 2022
Business Description: Development of devices for endoscopic treatment
URL: https://koeda.co.jp/
### [About MUFG Capital Co., Ltd.]
Founded in 1974, MUFG Capital has been leading the industry as the venture capital arm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
## About KOEDA Co., Ltd.
KOEDA is a medical device development startup founded by Toru Okuzono, a gastroenterologist and endoscopy specialist, based on the results of joint research with the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering at Tohoku University. The company aims to bring innovative treatments to digestive diseases, including acute cholecystitis, by utilizing its organ-fixing anchor "KOEDA™".
For acute cholecystitis, the initial indication under development, treatment sometimes involves draining bile from the gallbladder to stabilize symptoms. Current mainstream methods, such as external catheter placement, present challenges like patient pain and risk of complications. KOEDA is expected to establish a treatment method that overcomes these issues using its uniquely developed anchor technology, while facilitating a smooth transition to endoscopic cholecystectomy, which is the standard surgical treatment for this disease.
Development for acute cholecystitis has already completed exploratory clinical trials. Plans are underway for confirmatory clinical trials in Japan and expansion into markets like the United States. As a next pipeline, the company is also targeting application for gastrojejunal bypass surgery, with animal studies progressing smoothly in Japan and Spain.
## Background of Investment
This developed product, which Mr. Okuzono has been advancing based on clinical needs as an endoscopy specialist, has received positive evaluations from Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) both domestically and internationally, and is expected to bring about a transformation in the treatment of digestive diseases, including acute cholecystitis. We believe that KOEDA's team, led by Representative Okuzono, an endoscopy specialist with many years of clinical and research experience, and Co-Representative Yagi, who has extensive experience at a major medical device manufacturer, can successfully develop this device and contribute to many patients both in Japan and abroad. This led to our current investment. We will leverage MUFG's network to support KOEDA's innovative technology in becoming socially implemented.
Contact: Life Science Department, Hiroki Kubo
### [About KOEDA Co., Ltd.]
Company Name: KOEDA Co., Ltd.
Location: Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Representatives: Toru Okuzono, Representative Director / Masahiro Yagi, Representative Director
Established: September 2022
Business Description: Development of devices for endoscopic treatment
URL: https://koeda.co.jp/
### [About MUFG Capital Co., Ltd.]
Founded in 1974, MUFG Capital has been leading the industry as the venture capital arm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.