For companies operating in fast-moving technology markets, intellectual property is no longer a back-office function. It is a strategic lever that shapes growth, guides investment decisions, and supports long-term competitiveness. That is why LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions is pleased to welcome Sakae Nakamura, former Head of Intellectual Property Intelligence at Asahi Kasei Corporation, as a Executive Advisor, effective January 1, 2026.
With more than 40 years of experience, Sakae Nakamura is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of modern IP intelligence. She began her career at Asahi Kasei Corporation in 1985 and, from the late 1990s onward, played a defining role in shaping how patent information can be used to support real-world management decisions.
During her tenure as Corporate Head of Intellectual Property and later as Senior Fellow, Nakamura helped establish enterprise-wide processes that embedded IP intelligence into corporate strategy, new business creation, and M&A decision-making. A key milestone was the creation of Asahi Kasei’s Intellectual Property Intelligence Office, which enabled systematic, data-driven use of patent insights across the organization. Her work demonstrated that IP intelligence delivers the greatest value when it is applied continuously and aligned closely with executive decision-making.
As companies face increasing pressure to allocate R&D resources wisely and identify meaningful growth opportunities, the ability to translate patent data into strategic insight has become critical. “Few executives have more proven experience at integrating patent analytics into business strategy than Sakae Nakamura,” said Marco Richter, Head of LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions. “Her practical expertise strengthens our ability to help organizations use IP as a strategic business asset and connect innovation decisions directly to business outcomes.” In her role as Strategic Advisor, Nakamura will contribute to solution development, consulting initiatives, and customer engagement. She will also support the international exchange of IP best practices across regions, particularly between Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Nakamura’s experience is deeply rooted in the transformation of Asahi Kasei, a Japanese industrial conglomerate known for its strong technology portfolio and disciplined innovation strategy. Asahi Kasei employs approximately 50,000 people worldwide and reported around $20B in revenue in 2025. Operating across materials, chemicals, and life science-related businesses, the company has long recognized intellectual property as a core management resource rather than a purely legal function. By systematically integrating IP intelligence into executive decision-making, Asahi Kasei has demonstrated how patent insights can inform long-term investment choices, support sustainable growth, and strengthen competitive positioning across diverse markets.
Japanese companies have increasingly elevated intellectual property to the executive level in recent years. LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions supports this shift by providing high-quality global patent data and advanced analytics that help organizations understand technology landscapes, assess portfolio strength, and identify emerging trends with confidence. Nakamura’s appointment further reinforces this mission. “It is important not to treat IP intelligence as a one-off analysis,” Nakamura said. “By applying it continuously in management and business decision-making, executives can better understand IP as a critical element of strategy. I look forward to contributing my practical experience to LexisNexis initiatives and supporting professionals as they navigate and access diverse IP fields.”
By welcoming Sakae Nakamura as Strategic Advisor, LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions continues to strengthen its ability to help organizations connect innovation data with business strategy. For innovators seeking to move from patent analysis to confident decision-making, this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to one goal: bringing clarity to innovation.
