This human-centered approach resonates with Kudo’s aspiration to create visible examples of system change through the fund. “Not just superficial impact, but truly engaging with the system,” she explains. 39 This sentiment encapsulates the fund’s broader ambition: to inspire others by demonstrating what is possible when capital is directed toward meaningful change. SIIFIC’s vision and methodology can be demonstrated through their first investment; J-Pharma. J-Pharma is the only biotech company in the world developing LAT1 inhibitors—a novel treatment approach that starves cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. This targeted mechanism offers advanced cancer patients a gentler, more hopeful alternative to conventional therapies. At the heart of J-Pharma’s mission is the founder, Professor Endou’s belief that “patients can have hope until the last minute.” 40 This philosophy drives their work, especially with JPH203, their most advanced drug candidate targeting biliary tract cancer. A disease with one of the lowest survival rates in Japan, it causes 17,000 deaths annually. 41 For patients with limited options, JPH203 offers not just a medical breakthrough, but a renewed chance for life and hope. But J-Pharma’s vision extends beyond innovative drug development. The company is shifting healthcare from a narrow “medical paradigm,” which focuses on treating disease, to a broader “wellness paradigm” that emphasizes improving quality of life. This holistic approach redefines success, placing equal value on life satisfaction and emotional well-being alongside clinical outcomes. One patient’s experience with JPH203 highlights this shift in perspective. After using the drug, the patient returned to his doctor to express his gratitude. The new treatment had reduced the side effects of his condition to such an extent that he could travel with his family again—something he hadn’t thought possible. 42 This improvement in quality of life, the ability to enjoy precious moments with loved ones, is a priceless gift. It underscores the point that wellness is about more than just physical health—it’s about life fulfillment, and this cannot be quantified by any monetary value. These are the kinds of personal stories the WF sees as true impact. Other VC funds have also invested in J-Pharma, because the science is validated, and they see a financial potential. But the WF goes beyond this, investing with a deeper purpose and a clear emphasis on holistic, long-term impact.
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Ten Years in the Making
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