[April Dream] "I'm glad NIPP exists" - Delivering a treatment option for pelvic cancer that everyone can choose

Medcuration Inc. (Headquarters: Shizuoka Prefecture, Representative: Tomohiro Shibagaki) announced on April 1, 2026, as part of the April Dream initiative, its vision for the future: "A society where all patients in need can choose NIPP, a catheter treatment for pelvic cancer."
This article will explain the NIPP treatment method, the people striving to deliver this treatment, and the path we are embarking on.

**■ What is Pelvic Cancer?**
Pelvic cancers, such as uterine cancer, bladder cancer, and rectal cancer, are newly diagnosed in approximately 110,000 people in Japan each year, and over 30,000 patients lose their lives.
Depending on the progression or recurrence, treatment options can be limited, making it an area with significant physical, economic, and psychological burdens for patients.

**■ About the NIPP Treatment Method**
NIPP (Non-Equilibrium Pelvic Perfusion under Closed Circulation) is a catheter treatment for pelvic cancers.
A thin tube (catheter) with a diameter of 3-4mm is inserted from both groins, and blood flow in the pelvis is temporarily isolated with a balloon. After delivering a high concentration of anticancer drugs specifically to the pelvis, the drugs are collected outside the body.
Clinical studies have reported that drug concentrations in the pelvis reached 15 to 25 times or more compared to conventional systemic chemotherapy (※Reference 1). Because the drugs are collected after administration, leakage into the systemic circulation is suppressed, and a reduction in side effects is expected.
The hospitalization period for one treatment is approximately 5 days. The treatment is usually completed in two sessions, with an interval of about one month. It is said to be applicable to patients with limited treatment options, such as those with recurrence or progression after standard treatment.
(※For treatment effects and results, please refer to the explanatory website: http://nipp.gr.jp/)

**■ There is a doctor who never gave up on this treatment for 25 years.**
Dr. Shiro Onozawa, the founder and technical director of Medcuration, encountered NIPP during his first week as a doctor.
He says that the moment he witnessed the treatment performed by his mentor, Dr. Satoshi Murata (currently Professor of Radiology at Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center), he strongly felt, "This treatment method must be brought to the world." For 25 years since then, Dr. Onozawa has continued NIPP research and clinical practice at the forefront of catheter treatment.
However, due to stricter regulations on off-label use, NIPP could no longer be performed as an insured medical treatment. Self-pay treatment cost several million yen per session, making it an inaccessible treatment for many patients.
In 2015, it was certified as Advanced Medical Care B, and the path to clinical trials seemed open, but it was canceled due to circumstances of a collaborating company. After that, applications for public research funds were submitted more than 6 times, but all were rejected.
"Should I give up?" When he confided this to his wife, her reply was:
"How much time have you spent on this treatment? Stopping now would be wasting the time we could have spent together as a family."
Dr. Onozawa said his tears wouldn't stop. He resolved never to give up again, and in 2024, thanks to the efforts of many people, he managed to restart self-pay treatment.
He says there were days he woke up in the middle of the night, thinking, "How many patients would be unhappy if I gave up?"

**■ A desire born in India connected with NIPP 25 years later.**
Tomohiro Shibagaki, the representative director, encountered NIPP in the summer of 2024.
Shibagaki's origin lies in India during his university days. After experiencing a major setback in life, he traveled to India to heal his emotional wounds and coincidentally visited Mother Teresa's facility, "Mother House." There, when he assisted an elderly man with only a short time left to live with his meal, tears welled up in the old man's eyes as he brought food to his mouth.
"It feels good to help people." The feeling that sprouted at that moment became the origin of his path into the medical industry.
Afterward, he spent over 20 years at a foreign-affiliated medical device manufacturer, involved in introducing products suitable for the Japanese market and promoting their safe use. His connection with Dr. Onozawa began about 20 years ago when they met at a sales destination.
In the summer of 2024, Shibagaki, who was contemplating his career, invited Dr. Onozawa to dinner. He heard about NIPP and was asked, "I'm starting a venture company, would you be its president?"
Shibagaki accepted without hesitation. He could only see a future where NIPP was realized. And above all, he felt he could return to his origin in India: "being close to patients and working for them."

**■ Members who share the vision gather to establish Medcuration Inc.**
In December 2024, Medcuration Inc. was established.
Professionals from diverse fields—medicine, marketing, finance, and promotion—have gathered with the single goal of bringing NIPP to society.

**■ A Concrete Path to Realize the Dream**
NIPP currently costs 4 to 5 million yen per session as a self-pay treatment. This economic barrier is the "reason why many patients in need cannot choose" the treatment.
We aim for insurance coverage by 2030 and are preparing for investigator-initiated clinical trials, developing NIPP-specific medical devices, promoting the regulatory approval process in collaboration with PMDA, and establishing a multi-institutional research system.
Although the company was only recently established, it has already begun to move forward. In December 2025, it was selected for the medical device-focused acceleration program "MedTech Angels Season5." A crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE raised approximately 14.6 million yen from 1,129 supporters, winning an award in the social contribution category at the Crowdfunding Award 2025. The Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology has held annual symposia on NIPP since 2020, steadily accumulating academic discussions.
When discussing NIPP with medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies, President Shibagaki feels that many people's eyes light up, saying, "We definitely want to make this treatment a reality." This initiative has the potential to deliver a Japan-born treatment method to the world. Because it is a challenge that cannot be achieved by a single company, collaboration with medical institutions, related companies, researchers, and society is essential.
**■ Steadily Advancing, Step by Step, Towards a Future with NIPP**
To be able to know that "NIPP exists" when diagnosed with cancer.
To be able to choose that treatment regardless of one's place of residence or economic situation.
For this medical technology born in Japan to one day cross borders and reach society widely.

25 years have passed since Dr. Onozawa vowed in his first year as a doctor, "This must be brought to the world." Colleagues have gathered, and 1,129 supporters have encouraged them.

Towards a future where people can say, "I'm glad NIPP existed" when they get cancer.
We will steadily advance, step by step, towards the realization of that dream.

*This press release supports the "April Dream" project and is issued on April 1st to make it a day full of dreams. This release includes content aiming for future realization.
*Clinical research results are based on a limited number of cases and do not guarantee treatment efficacy.
*Reference 1: Murata S, et al. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Nov;22(12):3981-9.