Ajinomoto Group Innovation Strategy Hub

Our Mission

As the innovation hub of the Ajinomoto Group’s North American division, we are committed to driving accelerated growth in our key target areas by collaborating with internal teams, local communities, and external partners.

Our Focus Areas

Information & Communications Technology

We contribute to creating a smarter society through the development of advanced semiconductors and other technologies.

Healthcare

We aim to extend people’s lives by pioneering the science of wellbeing, advancing medical treatment and prevention.

Food & Wellness

We help the world eat well and live well with our sodium reduction and flavor-enhancement solutions to improve nutrition without sacrificing taste.

Green Technology

We commit to a sustainable society and bright future by reducing our environmental impact worldwide. 

Our Locations

Cambridge, Massachusetts
Our Innovation Strategy Development (ISD) team identifies growth opportunities for Ajinomoto through partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and new commercialization opportunities.

Columbus, Ohio
Our team works closely with our research and development partners to identify new areas of opportunity with a focus on healthcare.

Itasca, Illinois
Serves as the North American hub for strategic direction of our core business, facilitating the connections between innovation and business operations.

Silicon Valley, California
This location includes our Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) team and supports innovation by providing equity investments, fostering targeted strategic partnerships, and sponsoring startups.

Our Team

Jake Gonzales

Manager, Emerging Business & Technology

Tomo Koyama

Associate Director

Robert Morfino

Growth Strategy & Business Development Director

Yasushi Noguchi

Senior Director

Tanner Taneichi

Forge Biologics
Director, Innovation Starategy

Featured Stories

Webinar: The Role of Organoid Manufacturing in Advancing Drug Discovery

April 2025 - In this webinar, Dr. Katie Kilgour and Hajime Onuki from the Ajinomoto Group Regenerative Medicine division discuss the latest advancements in organoid manufacturing for drug discovery.

Ajinomoto Co. and LabCentral Partnership Kick-Off

March 2025 - Ajinomoto Co. proudly launched its sponsorship of LabCentral with a dynamic kick-off event. The evening began with a welcome presentation from our Ajinomoto Co. experts, featuring a compelling “hot topic” discussion by Dr. Katie Kilgour and Hajime Onuki on the growing role of organoids in drug discovery.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc., through its subsidiary Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc., Announces Gold Sponsorship of LabCentral: Accelerating Innovation in Biotechnology

Feb. 11, 2025–Ajinomoto Co., Inc., a global leader in biotechnology and food innovation, proudly announces its sponsorship of LabCentral, a premier launchpad for high-potential life sciences and biotech startups located in the heart of the Greater Boston biotechnology community.

The "Power to Make Biology" Event

May 2025 - Last Thursday, the Ajinomoto Group Innovation Strategy Development team hosted a special event featuring Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services and Forge Biologics at LabCentral. We were thrilled to see many members of the Boston biotech community join us for exciting conversations on how the Ajinomoto Group can collaborate with local innovators. 

Fill in the Contact Form

We would love to hear from you! Reach out to us for more information on any of our innovation solutions or general inquiries. We look forward to chatting with you.

Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.