Vylroh Advisory / Hiroshi Kawamoto MD

Clinical Development,
Medical Evaluation,
Japan Market Strategy.

From unmet need to clinical evidence, regulatory strategy and approval — with hands-on experience across the full development pathway. That experience is what we bring to your challenge.

Photo coming soon

Hiroshi Kawamoto, MD

Clinical Development Strategist · CEO, Vylroh Co., Ltd.

2 IIT Approvals Ex-Janssen TA Lead NCC / JCOG SaMD Advisor

Who We Work With

We work with organizations like these.

Pharmaceutical Companies & CROs
Japan development strategy, PMDA consultation planning, clinical trial design review

Biotech Startups
Clinical validity assessment, development strategy, ongoing medical advisory

Digital Health & AI Companies
SaMD development strategy, medical AI evaluation, product medical oversight

Medical Device Companies
Clinical evidence strategy, healthcare system integration feasibility

Venture Capital & Investors
Medical due diligence, clinical feasibility assessment of portfolio companies

Overseas Companies Entering Japan
Japan medical environment, regulatory pathway, development strategy

Not advice.
Proven execution.

Most advisors offer perspective. Dr. Kawamoto offers something rarer: the experience of having actually done it — from identifying an unmet need and negotiating directly with overseas manufacturers, to securing government grants, finding a Japanese import partner, building the trial organization, managing the data center, and delivering the approval package. Twice.

This capability is therapeutic-area agnostic. Oncology and pediatrics are clinical specialties; fetal medicine, digital health and other areas have also been supported. The foundation is clinical trial methodology, not disease knowledge alone.

I

Zero to Approval — Twice

Overseas manufacturer negotiation → grant acquisition → import partner → trial organization → data center → IIT execution → approval package. Two treatments approved as a result.

II

Cross-Therapeutic Methodology

Clinical trial methodology training at JCOG across oncology, gynecology, urology, hematology and more. Methodology expertise that travels across disease areas.

III

All Three Sides of the Table

Active clinician, investigator-initiated trial PI, Janssen TA Lead (Director), PMDA consultation experience, SaMD company advisor. No single vantage point dominates.

Core Expertise

What we can help you with.

01
Clinical Development Strategy

Clinical Development Strategy & Trial Design

Applicable across therapeutic areas. Drawing on experience as both an investigator-initiated trial PI and a pharmaceutical company TA Lead, we bring both sides of the development equation to your strategy.

Development strategy and indication planning
Clinical trial design review and protocol advisory
Investigator-initiated trial organization and protocol development
Asset evaluation and medical due diligence
02
Japan Regulatory & PMDA Strategy

Japan Entry & PMDA Strategy

Direct PMDA consultation experience across multiple indications, combined with hands-on experience bringing unapproved drugs through the Japanese regulatory pathway from overseas negotiation to approval.

PMDA consultation preparation and briefing support
Japan development plan and approval strategy review
Unapproved drug Japan introduction feasibility
Investigator-initiated trial approval strategy
03
Specialty: Oncology & Pediatrics

Oncology & Pediatric Development

Clinical expertise in pediatric oncology and solid tumors at the National Cancer Center and JCOG, combined with portfolio management experience as Janssen Oncology TA Lead. Available as KOL and clinical advisor.

Solid tumor, hematologic malignancy and sarcoma strategy
Pediatric development and indication expansion
Medical evaluation and evidence review as clinical expert
Japan KOL network introductions and collaboration
04
Digital Health & SaMD

Digital Health & AI Advisory

Four years as advisor to a Japanese SaMD-approved digital therapeutics company, combined with active medical AI evaluation work. Grounded perspective on SaMD development, regulatory pathway, and clinical evidence strategy.

SaMD development strategy and regulatory classification
Medical advisory for AI drug discovery platforms
Clinical evidence requirements and study design
Medical content oversight and product validation

Advisory Examples

What this looks like in practice.

Unapproved drug introduction for pediatric malignancy
Led full cycle: overseas manufacturer negotiation, government grant acquisition, import partner identification, trial organization, IIT execution, approval package preparation. Approval achieved.

Fetal therapy: from advanced medical treatment to insurance coverage
Built research organization and data center, led advanced medical designation application, through to reimbursement. Two fetal therapies now covered by national insurance.

Oncology portfolio evaluation at Janssen
Evaluated 10+ early-stage global oncology assets for Japan development. Led 10+ indication go/no-go decisions. Structured and led development strategy for multiple approved compounds.

SaMD development advisory (4 years)
Four-year R&D advisor to Japan's first SaMD-approved digital therapeutics company. Direct involvement in regulatory strategy, medical evaluation and development planning.

Pediatric oncology development strategy — Bayer
Contracted consultant representing Japanese pediatric hematology/oncology physicians. Development strategy advisory and domestic KOL coordination.

PMDA consultation preparation
Multiple PMDA consultation preparation engagements across therapeutic areas. Briefing document review, clinical argument structuring, medical evidence framing.

Background

Selected experience.

2016–2019

Janssen Pharmaceutical — Oncology TA Lead, Director

Full oncology portfolio management. Evaluated 10+ early global assets for Japan. Led 10+ indication decisions. BD asset evaluation and TA analyst management.

2001–2016

National Cancer Center — Chief, Pediatric Oncology

Clinical practice: pediatric oncology, hematology, soft tissue sarcoma. PI/coordinating investigator for multiple IITs (Phase I/II). 2 treatments approved from IITs conducted from zero.

2002–2005

JCOG — Data Center, Research Resident

Clinical trial methodology training. Protocol development and trial management across lung, gynecologic, urologic, hematologic, sarcoma and radiation oncology groups. Chair, Quality Management Subcommittee.

2007–2008

National Center for Child Health and Development — Clinical Trial Management

Built research organization and data center for fetal therapy trials (twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, fetal pleural effusion). Advanced medical designation to insurance reimbursement. Both now covered under national insurance.

2020–2024

SaMD Digital Therapeutics Company — R&D Advisor (4 years)

Advisor to Japan's first SaMD-approved digital therapeutics company. Active involvement in SaMD development strategy and medical evaluation.and medical evaluation.

2015–2017

Bayer — Pediatric Oncology Development Consultant

Contracted consultant representing Japanese pediatric hematology/oncology physicians for development strategy and domestic KOL coordination.

2
Treatments approved
from IITs led from zero
2+
Fetal therapies
reimbursed
10+
IITs as PI or
coordinating investigator

Credentials

✦ Board-Certified Pediatrician, Japan Pediatric Society
✦ Certified Oncologist, Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy
✦ MD, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
✦ 9 ASCO abstracts · 21+ peer-reviewed publications

Policy Contributions

Contributed to MHLW guidance on clinical evaluation of anti-cancer agents for pediatric malignancies (2015). Co-author, JSNM guidelines on ¹³¹I-MIBG radiotherapy.

Advisory Process

From first contact to engagement.

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Step 1
Initial Discussion

Tell us your challenge. No cost, no NDA required at this stage. We'll give you an honest view of whether and how we can help.

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Step 2
NDA

We execute a mutual NDA before reviewing any confidential materials. Standard process, no friction.

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Step 3
Proposal

We propose a scope and fee structure matched to your needs — single-session review, project engagement, or ongoing advisory retainer.

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Step 4
Engagement

Work begins promptly after contract. Available by email, video call or in person in Tokyo.

Start with
a conversation.

Initial consultations are conducted in confidence, at no charge. We will listen to your challenge and give you an honest assessment of whether and how we can help — regardless of therapeutic area.

Send an Inquiry →
Phone
+81-3-4400-0332
Address
R-cube Aoyama 3F
1-3-1 Kita-Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo
Vylroh Co., Ltd.
NDA execution is standard. Engagements range from single-session reviews to ongoing retainers. We work with pharmaceutical companies, biotech, CROs, digital health companies, medical device firms, VC firms, and overseas companies entering Japan.