Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Invests in KOEDA, a Startup Developing Next-Generation Anchors for Digestive Disease Treatment
Mitsubishi UFJ Capital has invested in KOEDA, a startup developing organ-anchoring devices for endoscopic treatment.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 21:00
Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Takuro Kojima) announced that it has invested in KOEDA Co., Ltd. (hereinafter 'KOEDA'), a company developing organ-anchoring devices for endoscopic treatment, through its fund (Mitsubishi UFJ Life Science Fund No. 4).
About KOEDA
KOEDA is a medical device startup founded by Dr. Toru Okuzono, a gastroenterologist and endoscopist, based on joint research results 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 the 'KOEDA™' anchor, which fixes organs together.
For acute cholecystitis, the first indication being developed, treatment often involves draining bile from the gallbladder to stabilize symptoms. While the current mainstream method of placing a catheter from outside the body poses challenges such as patient pain and risk of complications, KOEDA aims to overcome these issues using its proprietary anchor technology. This is expected to establish a treatment method that allows for a smooth transition to endoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgical standard of care for this disease.
The development product for acute cholecystitis has completed exploratory clinical trials, and the company plans to proceed with confirmatory clinical trials in Japan and expansion into the US and other regions. As the next pipeline, it is also aiming for application in gastrojejunostomy, with animal experiments progressing smoothly in Japan and Spain.
Investment Background
This product, which Dr. Okuzono has developed based on clinical needs as an endoscopist, has been evaluated by Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) both domestically and internationally and is expected to revolutionize the treatment of digestive diseases. We decided to invest because we believe that the KOEDA team, led by Representative Okuzono, an endoscopist with many years of clinical and research experience, and Co-Representative Masahiro Yagi, who has extensive experience at a major medical device manufacturer, will succeed in developing this device and contribute to many patients worldwide. We will utilize the MUFG network to support the social implementation of KOEDA's innovative technology.
About KOEDA
KOEDA is a medical device startup founded by Dr. Toru Okuzono, a gastroenterologist and endoscopist, based on joint research results 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 the 'KOEDA™' anchor, which fixes organs together.
For acute cholecystitis, the first indication being developed, treatment often involves draining bile from the gallbladder to stabilize symptoms. While the current mainstream method of placing a catheter from outside the body poses challenges such as patient pain and risk of complications, KOEDA aims to overcome these issues using its proprietary anchor technology. This is expected to establish a treatment method that allows for a smooth transition to endoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgical standard of care for this disease.
The development product for acute cholecystitis has completed exploratory clinical trials, and the company plans to proceed with confirmatory clinical trials in Japan and expansion into the US and other regions. As the next pipeline, it is also aiming for application in gastrojejunostomy, with animal experiments progressing smoothly in Japan and Spain.
Investment Background
This product, which Dr. Okuzono has developed based on clinical needs as an endoscopist, has been evaluated by Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) both domestically and internationally and is expected to revolutionize the treatment of digestive diseases. We decided to invest because we believe that the KOEDA team, led by Representative Okuzono, an endoscopist with many years of clinical and research experience, and Co-Representative Masahiro Yagi, who has extensive experience at a major medical device manufacturer, will succeed in developing this device and contribute to many patients worldwide. We will utilize the MUFG network to support the social implementation of KOEDA's innovative technology.
FAQ
What does KOEDA develop?
They develop 'KOEDA™', an organ-anchoring device for endoscopic treatment created by a gastroenterologist.
What is the purpose of this investment?
To support the social implementation of KOEDA's innovative technology and bring breakthroughs to treatments for conditions like acute cholecystitis.
What are the characteristics of MUCAP's life science investment?
They target a wide range of fields including drug discovery and medical devices, offering long-term investment up to 12 years and support via the MUFG network.