About the Founders
Sachiko Kuno, Ph.D., Managing Member
From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Dr. Sachiko Kuno studied industrial biochemistry as one of a few Japanese female scientists. Her research careers in basic biochemistry and biotechnology were performed at Kyoto University (Japan), Technical University of Munich (Germany), Mitsubishi Institute for Life Sciences and the Japanese government supported non-profit research organization, ERATO.
Since the mid-80s, in partnership with Dr. Ryuji Ueno, Dr. Kuno has contributed to the establishment of Sucampo Group, an international affiliation of pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing companies. Currently, she serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and R-Tech Ueno, Ltd. after years of dedication to these companies as Chair and Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Kuno dedicates much of her time to philanthropic activities, including sponsoring events at The Washington Opera, Smithsonian Institute, and other charitable organizations. In 2000, Dr. Kuno, together with Dr. Ueno, founded S&R Foundation in Washington, D.C. for the purposes of supporting researchers in medical, pharmaceutical and health care services, and artists who perform their creative works in Japan and the United States.
Ryuji Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., Managing Member
Dr. Ryuji Ueno is an internationally recognized researcher in pharmacology, physiology and the biochemistry of endogenic functional fatty acids and their related compounds. Dr. Ueno is a co-founder of the Sucampo Group, an international affiliation of pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing companies. He was trained and certified as a Medical Doctor at Keio University School of Medicine in Japan. After his academic career in the fields of pharmacology, physiology and biochemistry at Columbia University (USA), Kyoto University (Japan), Osaka University (Japan) and Stanford University (USA), he established R-Tech Ueno, Ltd. in Japan, the first Sucampo Group company to engage in the research and development of new chemical substances discovered by him. The first product, Rescula®‚ an anti-glaucoma treatment, was commercialized in Japan in 1994. Leveraging the success in Japan, Dr. Ueno in partnership with Dr. Kuno established Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to bring his discoveries to the American markets. At present, Dr. Ueno is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Dr. Ueno is an experienced Class A race car driver. Currently, he is a member of Leica Historical Society of America, Ferrari Club of America, and Miles River Yacht Club.