Goro Takeda joined Sofinnova Ventures in 2007 as a Kauffman Venture Fellow with a focus on identifying life science spin-out opportunities in Asia. Goro holds the honor of being the first person from Japan to be selected as a Kauffman Fellow. Before arriving at Sofinnova, Goro was the Deputy General Manager of NIG SMBC Ventures, a Tokyo-based venture capital firm with $2 billion under management. Goro was responsible for life science investments across multiple geographic regions. He also served on the board of directors of Shogoo Pharmaceuticals, a Tokyo-based specialty pharmaceutical company which he co-founded. Goro was also involved with investments in biotechnology and specialty pharmaceutical companies including Anesiva, Arrow Therapeutics, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, TorreyPines Therapeutics, Orexigen Therapeutics, Prestwick Pharmaceuticals, ToleRx, and Plexxikon.

Prior to launching his career in venture capital, Goro spent nine years in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as Corporate Officer of the U.S. subsidiary of Tanabe Pharmaceuticals. While in this position, Goro worked on global business development and marketing assignments.

Goro holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Waseda University and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University.

Goro can be reached at goro@sofinnova.com.

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