Rakuten Medical, Inc., a global biotechnology company developing and commercializing Alluminox platform-based photoimmunotherapy, recently announced that Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani will transition from Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Executive Chairman of the Board, and President Minami Maeda will become the next CEO, effective on July 1, 2026.
As Rakuten Medical enters its next phase of growth, this leadership transition reflects the company’s ongoing evolution and commitment to its corporate mission of “Conquering Cancer.” The move aims to accelerate decision-making and strengthen disciplined execution across the organization.
As Executive Chairman, Mickey will continue to provide strategic direction and long-term vision while remaining deeply committed to the company’s mission, supporting long-term growth initiatives.
As the full-time, dedicated CEO, Minami will work closely with the global team to drive agile decision-making, while strengthening organizational resilience and execution in preparation for upcoming regulatory approval and commercial launch in the United States and other markets.
Rakuten Medical is accelerating its global Phase 3 clinical trial to support its top priority of submitting a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. FDA in 2028. The ASP-1929-381 trial evaluates ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy in combination with pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment for recurrent head and neck cancer. Patient enrollment is progressing ahead of plan, across the United States, Taiwan, Japan, and Ukraine.
In parallel, the company is advancing efforts to secure approvals in additional markets, in collaboration with regional strategic partners, by leveraging clinical data package and post-marketing real-world data from Japan for its approved drug Akalux (ASP-1929) and medical device BioBlade Laser System for the treatment of unresectable locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer.
To broaden its clinical scope, Rakuten Medical is advancing development beyond head and neck cancer. With support from external grants, multiple programs are underway to evaluate the potential of the Alluminox platform across diverse tumor types. These efforts are further supported by the continued adoption of its treatment in Japan.
“I first encountered photoimmunotherapy when my father was diagnosed with cancer. It has been a source of pride in my career as an entrepreneur to support the development of Alluminox platform-based photoimmunotherapy over the past 13 years—as a family member of a patient, an investor, and as CEO. At the same time, the development of the Alluminox platform has only just begun. We must continue to grow as a company so that we can bring this innovation to patients around the world,” said Mickey Mikitani, the current CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Rakuten Medical. “Since joining the company in 2017, Minami Maeda has demonstrated strong leadership, strategic insight and execution capabilities, contributing significantly to Rakuten Medical’s growth and expanding patient access to our therapy. I have complete confidence in his leadership and look forward to supporting him and the company in my new role as Executive Chairman.”
Minami Maeda, currently serving as President of Rakuten Medical, commented, “I am honored to take on the role of CEO at this important stage in Rakuten Medical’s growth. Over the past several years, our team has achieved significant progress across clinical development, global expansion, and commercialization in Japan, demonstrating strong resilience and commitment to our mission. As we now enter a critical phase, our focus is on delivering against key priorities, including advancing the ASP-1929-381 trial, preparing for regulatory milestones and expanding our commercial footprint. Together with Mickey Mikitani and our global team, we will continue to strengthen our execution and organizational focus, while working to deliver innovative treatment options to patients worldwide in support of our mission.”
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