Nissha Medical Technologies (NMT), the medical devices business unit for Japan’s Nissha Co. Ltd, has officially broken ground on renovations to an existing building on Vanderbilt University’s main campus for its new Engineering & Innovation Center of Excellence (CoE). Renovations are scheduled for completion in mid-March 2026, with an open house planned for summer 2026.
The new Center of Excellence represents the next major step in NMT’s long-term partnership with Vanderbilt, which is focused on advancing medical device innovation and strengthening Nashville’s role as a hub for research and economic growth.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE), with its record of surgical innovation, initially drew Nissha Medical Technologies’ interest in Vanderbilt. The university’s integration of academic research and clinical practice, including its close relationship with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, offers a clear path for translating ideas into impact, making Vanderbilt a natural fit for this collaboration.
The project builds on NMT’s ongoing collaboration with Vanderbilt, including its work with EndoTheia, a startup founded by Vanderbilt faculty that is developing next-generation endoscopic technologies. By co-locating with academic and clinical researchers, NMT will accelerate translation of new ideas into transformative healthcare solutions.
Leaders from Nissha Medical Technologies and Vanderbilt met with city and state economic representatives to explore how the partnership could support Nashville’s goal of fostering innovation and economic growth.
City and state partners, including the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Nashville Innovation Alliance, have supported the initiative as part of broader efforts to grow Nashville’s innovation economy.
“This strategic move underscores our commitment to pioneering medical advancements and solidifies our role as a leader in the global healthcare landscape,” said Junya Suzuki, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Nissha Co., Ltd. “By partnering with Vanderbilt, we are poised to accelerate innovation and bring transformative medical technologies to market faster than ever before.”
The partnership will offer students opportunities for internships and hands-on learning, while giving researchers direct access to specialized equipment, market insights and new industry connections through NMT’s external partnerships. In addition, NMT could support Vanderbilt-licensed technologies and startups.
“Industry collaboration is a contact sport, and having Nissha Medical Technologies on campus will provide enhanced collaboration opportunities that would not otherwise be easily replicable,” states Alan Bentley, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Development. He continues, “Our Industry Collaborations teammates have already begun developing deep relationships with NMT’s leadership, and our office is poised to work with NMT on translational R&D projects to ready new surgical products and other medical device technologies for the marketplace.”
The Center of Excellence, located on West End Avenue, will serve as NMT’s U.S. R&D hub and incubator space, as well as the new home for EndoTheia. The site will provide opportunities for student internships, hands-on research, and expanded industry collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
The renovation and build-out mark a significant milestone in a 15-year lease agreement between NMT and Vanderbilt, solidifying the foundation for a long-term partnership that will shape the future of medical device development in Nashville and beyond.
About Nissha Medical Technologies (NMT)
Nissha Medical Technologies (NMT) is a global leader in medical device design and manufacturing, specializing in innovative patient monitoring and surgical solutions. With manufacturing operations worldwide, NMT is committed to advancing healthcare through precision engineering and employee development as a global CDMO.
U.S. headquartered Nissha Medical Technologies is the medical devices business unit and wholly owned subsidiary of Nissha Co. Ltd. , a Japanese publicly held company based in Kyoto, Japan (TSE:7915).