The medical industry is constantly evolving, with groundbreaking technologies and treatments emerging every day. Diseases once deemed incurable just a decade ago are now being treated effectively, and the pace of medical advancements continues to accelerate. Humanity has always been capable of making dreams a reality. In the near future, many diseases may no longer require surgery, and even cancer—the leading cause of death in Japan—might be treated as a same-day outpatient procedure.
This bold vision is precisely what Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. is striving to achieve.
Two Core Business Pillars:
Revolutionizing Diagnostic Medicine & Industrializing Regenerative Medicine
Our visit took us to the Okinawa Health Biotechnology Research & Development Center in Uruma City, home to the headquarters of Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd., a rising Okinawa-based bio-venture making waves in the industry.
Welcoming us in the conference room were CEO and Ph.D. in Engineering, Kazumichi Nakahama, and Vice President and entrepreneur, Masakaze Tani. With their vastly different backgrounds, we were eager to learn how they built and expanded this pioneering company.
The company’s two main business pillars are:
- Biomaterials Business
- Regenerative Medicine Business
For readers unfamiliar with medical technology, here’s a brief overview of each field.
ーーーーーーーーーー
Biomaterials Business:
“Biomaterials” refer to specialized materials used alongside living cells or bodily components such as proteins and DNA. Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. focuses on in vitro diagnostic reagents, particularly for detecting cancer, pneumonia, blood and hormonal disorders, and infectious diseases like hepatitis.
By utilizing proprietary medical nanotechnology, the company has achieved diagnostic speeds 4 times faster than conventional methods, while significantly improving both accuracy and detection.
This breakthrough not only reduces medical costs but also promotes early detection and early treatment, leading to better patient outcomes.“We believe this has significant social value,” says Nakahama.
Regenerative Medicine Business:
Regenerative medicine involves repairing or replacing damaged tissues and cells. Through a collaborative partnership with Hitachi Group, the company operates Kyushu and Okinawa’s largest cell culture and processing facility.
At this facility, Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. manufactures:
・Cellular therapeutics (cultivated from a patient’s blood components) for cancer immunotherapy and tissue regeneration
・Reagents for pharmaceutical compounding
ーーーーーーーーーー
In summary, Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. is a cutting-edge bio-venture driving innovation in both diagnostics and treatment through state-of-the-art biotechnology.
Medical Innovations Made Simple!
Breaking Down Yukaze-Biomedical’s Cutting-Edge Advancements
As a journalist, I did my best to acquire and familiarize myself with as much knowledge about biotechnology as possible before the interview. While I couldn’t grasp everything, I was deeply impressed by the vast potential of regenerative medicine.
One of the company’s most remarkable treatments is NKT Cell-Targeted Therapy for cancer immunotherapy. This process involves extracting a patient’s blood, cultivating specific immune cells, and reintroducing them into the body. These cells then activate natural killer T (NKT) cells, which everyone naturally possesses, unleashing a powerful attack against cancer cells.
Since this therapy harnesses the body’s own immune system, it has minimal side effects and is effective against a wide range of cancers.
Another groundbreaking treatment is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy. Take, for example, osteoarthritis, a common condition among the elderly. By extracting growth factor-rich platelets from a patient’s blood, refining them into a concentrated solution (PRP), and injecting it into the affected knee joint, patients can experience dramatic symptom relief within a short period.
Like NKT Cell-Targeted Therapy, PRP therapy leverages the body’s innate healing capabilities, specifically by enhancing cellular growth potential. Due to its wide-ranging applications, including orthopedics and dermatology, the number of medical institutions offering PRP therapy has been steadily increasing.
Currently, Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. is focusing on advancing PRP technology even further. Through proprietary methods, they have enhanced growth factor concentration levels to 10–20 times the normal amount, leading to the development of their PCP-FD® technology.
The potential applications of this innovation are astonishing—it extends beyond burns and joint pain to include gum regeneration in periodontal disease and even hair restoration. The moment I heard this, I couldn’t help but exclaim: “This is incredible! Like something out of a dream!”
Of course, producing highly effective cellular therapeutics requires advanced technology and state-of-the-art facilities. In 2023, Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. received official certification from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare under the Regenerative Medicine Safety Act. Their cell processing center (CPC) is located within the Okinawa Bio Industry Development Center, where they conduct daily cell culture operations to advance regenerative medicine.
Alongside production, another critical aspect of regenerative medicine is cell transportation. No matter how advanced the cultivation techniques are, if the cells are not properly handled and transported to the patient, the treatment’s effectiveness can be compromised.
To address this issue, Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. has collaborated with Hitachi Group to develop Japan’s first fully integrated platform that manages the entire process from cell collection to administration.
In summer 2024, the company launched a joint verification project with Suzuken Okinawa Pharmaceutical to further refine and standardize cell transport operations, ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes for patients.
From a Major Corporation to a Bio-Venture
A Leap of Faith for Okinawa’s Future
Kazumichi Nakahama and Masakaze Tani often appear together in media interviews. Their partnership began six years before founding Yukaze-Biomedical. Co., Ltd., when Tani was working in publishing, producing medical books. During his research process, he was introduced to Nakahama, who at the time was involved in life sciences projects at Canon Inc..
At the time, leaving a stable, high-paying job at Canon was never on Nakahama’s mind. However, as he regularly shared biotechnology-related insights with Tani, he found himself drawn into his enthusiasm.
“Okinawa is investing heavily in biotechnology! I want to launch a business that can drive economic growth and double Okinawa’s income!”—Tani’s passion for his home region ignited a new ambition.
Initially, Nakahama only planned to offer occasional support. However, Tani’s unwavering call—“Come to Okinawa with me for the future of this place!”—finally convinced him.
“Here was someone more than a decade younger than me, willing to dedicate himself to his hometown. I truly respected that. I was also in my mid-40s at the time, and I thought—why not take on a challenge and accomplish something meaningful before turning 50?” Nakahama recalls.
With that, he left Canon and fully committed himself to building a new future through biotechnology.
“I got dragged into this mess, really…” Nakahama jokes, prompting both of them to burst into laughter.
Advancing Okinawa’s Economy Through Medical Tourism
The Potential of Combining Resorts and Regenerative Medicine
In 2022, Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. was selected as an Okinawa Industrial Promotion Subsidy recipient, strengthening its collaboration with the Okinawa Prefectural Government in advancing the industrialization of regenerative medicine. Their ultimate goal is to establish Okinawa as a global brand in regenerative medicine, using this momentum to boost medical tourism in the region.
“Regenerative medicine is incredibly costly—electricity for the labs, nutrients for the cells—it’s an industry where the more seriously you pursue it, the less profit you make,” Tani laughs.
Nakajima adds, “Sure, medical tourism mostly benefits doctors and travel agencies, but if we get a high volume of patients coming in, our cell culture facility utilization rate increases, so we do see some profit—just a little, though (laughs).”
Despite the financial challenges, their passion for Okinawa’s development remains the driving force behind their venture. By maintaining a balanced revenue structure, where the biomaterials business sustains cash flow, they envision Okinawa becoming a leader in regenerative medicine—on par with Tokyo and Osaka—within the 550-billion-yen medical tourism market.
To achieve this, guaranteeing the highest quality in specific cell-derived therapeutics is essential. This is also why the integrated management platform, mentioned earlier, is a key component in their medical tourism strategy.
Additionally, Okinawa offers unique advantages over urban areas—stunning natural landscapes and a warm, mild climate. For patients battling illnesses and their loved ones who accompany them, the serene blue ocean and lush green forests provide healing beyond just medical treatment—an invaluable “added value” that only Okinawa can offer.
A Rising Startup from Okinawa
Overcoming Challenges on the Road to IPO
When asked about the biggest challenge they’ve faced since launching the business, Tani paused for a moment before answering with a serious expression:
“Money… (laughs).”
“At the start, we had no track record, and since this field was still new in Okinawa, financial institutions were hesitant to invest. We had to work hard to explain our business model, connect with people who were willing to listen, and gradually secure funding.”
Nakahama added:
“New businesses are often advised to start small, but in the medical field—especially in manufacturing—that’s just not possible. One of the toughest challenges was convincing investors to understand this reality. Because of financial constraints, it took us more than two years to fully launch operations.”
Despite these difficulties, Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. has gained recognition through unique fundraising methods, including equity crowdfunding—a rare approach for a medical startup.
In December 2024, the Okinawa Development Finance Corporation approved a 60-million-yen loan, accelerating the company’s journey toward its goal of going public in 2027.
“Seeing our network grow and feeling the support from people who understand our mission keeps me going,” says Tani.
“For me, it’s knowing that my research is making a real difference in people’s lives. Hearing stories of how our technology has helped someone brings me the greatest joy,” Nakahama adds.
Good health is one of the most significant factors in life satisfaction.
With its innovative approach to medicine, Yukaze-Biomedical Co., Ltd. is set to revolutionize the healthcare industry and become a shining star in Okinawa’s startup ecosystem, brightening the future of medical technology.
Interview and Japanese Text by Narabayashi Minako
