Sakae Asanuma

Sakae Asanuma is the President and CEO of Taiho Ventures, where he leads early-stage biotechnology investments. Since 2000, he has invested in more than 60 biotech companies, with a majority achieving initial public offerings or mergers and acquisitions. Prior to founding Taiho Ventures, Asanuma served as President and CEO of Astellas Venture Management and US Head of Astellas Innovation Management from 2011 to 2015, following an eleven-year executive tenure at Yasuda Enterprise. In 2024, he secured an additional $100 million capital commitment from parent company Taiho Pharmaceutical to fund new oncology and fibrosis therapeutics. He currently serves on the board of directors for Incendia Therapeutics and holds both CFA and MBA credentials. His two-decade venture capital career remains focused on executing research collaborations, spin-outs, and early-stage investments in areas with high unmet medical needs.