Nissha Medical Technologies to Host Ribbon Cutting for New Nashville Innovation Center of Excellence

Nissha Medical Technologies (NMT), the medical devices business unit of Japan’s Nissha Co., Ltd., will officially open its new Nashville Innovation Center of Excellence (NICE) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Vanderbilt University’s main campus. The event marks the completion of a major renovation and the beginning of an expanded partnership designed to advance next-generation medical device technologies.

NICE builds on years of collaboration between NMT, Vanderbilt University, and the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE). By bringing NMT’s Engineering and Development hub directly onto campus, the partnership strengthens the connection between academic research, industry development, and clinical application.

Representatives from Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee Valley Authority, and other regional partners will attend the ceremony in recognition of the project’s impact on innovation and economic development in Nashville. EndoTheia, the Vanderbilt-founded startup developing advanced endoscopic technologies, will also join in celebrating its new home within the Innovation Center.

“Nissha Medical Technologies is pleased to collaborate with Tennessee, Nashville, and Vanderbilt as part of the growing Medtech ecosystem in Nashville,” said Brandon Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of Nissha Medical Technologies. “Our Innovation Center at Vanderbilt is poised to offer our customer base new opportunities for engagement and advancement in the development of technology platforms, as well as next-generation diagnostic and interventional devices.”

Nissha Co., Ltd. leadership is also supporting the opening of the Innovation Center. “The Nissha Group and Nissha Medical Technologies are committed to contributing to society by enabling advanced medical device development,” said Junya Suzuki, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Nissha Co., Ltd. “Our new innovation and development center in Nashville brings together the combined expertise of Nissha Medical Technologies, EndoTheia, and Vanderbilt University to support progress in innovation and the local economy.”

Located on West End Avenue, NICE will provide flexible research labs, prototyping space, collaboration areas, and room for hands-on learning. It expands opportunities for student internships, supports translational research, and enables closer partnership with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. EndoTheia and Merge Medical will have facilities at NICE, supporting partnerships throughout every phase of device development—from initial creation to manufacturing and production.

NMT’s long-term lease with Vanderbilt establishes a foundation for continued joint research, technology development, and support for emerging companies like EndoTheia. The newly completed space will serve as an anchor for future activity and a catalyst for new ideas across engineering, surgery, imaging, and device development.