Toru Maruyama, PHD

Toru Maruyama was appointed as an Officer of the ONO Pharma Foundation in January 2022. He strives to connect cutting-edge scientific research with therapeutic innovation, ensuring that promising discoveries translate into tangible benefits for society. In this role, he helps guide the ONO-PF’s strategic direction, designs award programs, and creates opportunities to expand and deepen the scientific community. His primary mission is to support and accelerate groundbreaking, transformative science that positively impacts human health, with a particular focus on therapeutic approaches to disease and pain management.

Prior to this role, he accumulated over 30 years of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, successfully leading the development of more than a dozen clinical candidates. He has extensive experience in global drug discovery collaborations, including leadership roles with pharmaceutical companies and CROs, and has actively promoted open innovation through academic partnerships worldwide.

He is the author or co-author of 26 peer-reviewed publications and 3 review articles, the inventor of 11 patents, and has been invited to speak at 9 scientific lectures. He has also served on executive committees for various conferences and forums.

Dr. Maruyama earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Nagoya University under Professor Hisashi Yamamoto in 2002. He has international experience both professionally (2022–2023) and academically (2003–2004) in the United States.