Nissha Medical Technologies Begins Work on New Engineering & Innovation Center

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). The renovations are scheduled to be finished in mid-March 2026, and an open house is planned for next summer.

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, according to the company.

The Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) 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, provides a path for translating ideas into impact.

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 ways the partnership can support Nashville’s goal of fostering innovation and economic growth.

“By relocating our Engineering & Innovation Center of Excellence to Vanderbilt, we are not only investing in cutting-edge research but also in the future of healthcare innovation,” Nissha Medical Technologies President/CEO Sam Heleba said. “Our newest location and partnership will enable us to work closely with some of the brightest minds in the field, fostering an environment where groundbreaking medical technologies can thrive.”

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,” Nissha Co. Ltd. Board Chairman/CEO Junya Suzuki stated. “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,” commented Alan Bentley, assistant vice chancellor for Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Development. “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 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.

Nissha Medical Technologies (NMT) is a medical device designer and manufacturer that specializes in patient monitoring and surgical solutions. With operations worldwide, NMT advances healthcare through precision engineering and employee development. 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. NMT operates a diverse global manufacturing footprint as a medtech contract development and manufacturing organization.