Masayuki Kanai

Masayuki Kanai has extensive work experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Masayuki is currently the Vice President of Biomarkers & Companion Diagnostic Development at Taiho Oncology, Inc. Prior to this, they worked at Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. as the Senior Director of Global Companion Diagnostics Portfolio Leader and Director of Global Companion Diagnostics Lead. Masayuki also held positions at Merck as the Global Director of Medical Affairs for Biomarkers and Diagnostics, and as the Regional Director of Medical Affairs for Biomarkers and Diagnostics in Japan. Before Merck, they were the Head of Immuno-Oncology Medical Affairs/MSL Manager at Merck Group. Additionally, they worked at Novartis as the Global Correlative Science leader for Japan and as the Global Correlative Science Leader for Japan. Masayuki started their career at AbbVie as the Manager of the Early Strategic Planning Group in R&D, where they were responsible for developing Japanese marketing strategies and leading teams in executing clinical trials. Prior to their industry experience, they were a JSPS Research Fellow at the University of Tsukuba, where they conducted research and mentored graduate students.

Masayuki Kanai has a diverse and impressive education history. Starting in 1995, they attended Saitama University and earned their Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1999. Masayuki then pursued higher education at the University of Tsukuba, where they obtained their Master of Science degree in Medical Science from 1999 to 2001. Continuing their studies at the same institution, Kanai obtained their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Science from 2001 to 2004.

After completing their doctoral studies, Kanai joined the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) at the University of Tsukuba from 2002 to 2005, undertaking a JSPS Doctoral/Postdoctoral fellowship. Masayuki then expanded their research experience by becoming a Research Scientist at the University of Cincinnati from 2005 to 2007. Following this, they joined the Moffitt Cancer Center as a Research Scientist from 2007 to 2013.

From 2013 to 2014, Kanai worked as a Research Associate (Senior PostDoc) at the prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Throughout their education journey, Kanai has focused on medical science, with their field of study being particularly concentrated in the areas of cancer research.