Decades of steady investment in education, biomedical research, and digital infrastructure underpin this strong position. Among Finland’s key assets are its national health registries and biobank networks, which securely link its volumes of genetic, clinical, and lifestyle data. The Finnish Biobank Cooperative (FINBB) coordinates this system through the Fingenious portal, which gives researchers access to data and samples across all public biobanks in Finland. Together, these resources accelerate biomarker discovery, enable personalized treatments, and form a strong foundation for new diagnostics and therapies.

Collaboration as a superpower

Finland’s cancer research flourishes because of its deeply connected ecosystem, which is data-rich, ethically grounded, and internationally engaged. Initiatives such as FICAN, Cancer IO, and iCAN bring together hospitals, universities, and companies to advance translational cancer research and precision medicine.

Based in Turku, the Finnish Drug Discovery Center Ltd (FDDC) is a state-owned initiative dedicated to transforming early-stage innovations into potential medicines. The center works closely with universities, research institutes, and industry  and evaluates promising drug targets, coordinates discovery-phase projects, and helps teams prepare for investment and industrial collaboration. Its mission spans all therapeutic areas and modalities, accelerating the journey “from lab to label.” Since its founding, FDDC has assessed dozens of projects and made its first equity investment in 2025, backing the Finnish cancer therapy company Kohde Pharma.

While challenges remain – such as limited late-stage funding and the need for stronger international partnerships – Finland’s biobank and data infrastructure still hold vast untapped potential.

While challenges remain – such as limited late-stage funding and the need for stronger international partnerships – Finland’s biobank and data infrastructure still hold vast untapped potential. As access models evolve and digital tools mature, integrating biobank data with clinical research will become an even stronger driver of innovation.

What unites these innovators is not just technology, but purpose.

Finland’s pipeline of cancer-focused startups continues to grow, supported by initiatives like Business Finland’s Research to Business and investors such as Nordic Science Investments and Innovestor Life Sciences. What unites these innovators is not just technology, but purpose: from detecting disease early to reawakening the immune system, Finland demonstrates how a small country can have a global impact in the fight against cancer.

Biotech powerhouses and bold innovators

Finland’s cancer biotech scene is remarkably dynamic for such a small nation. From RNA-based therapies and oncolytic viruses to next-generation diagnostics and advanced manufacturing, Finnish innovators are redefining what’s possible in oncology. Here are some of the companies (in alphabetical order) turning scientific breakthroughs into clinical impact.

ATB Antivirals – Tackling HPV-associated disease
Formed from the merger of Anison Therapeutics and Therapeutica Borealis, Turku-based ATB Antivirals is developing therapies for human papillomavirus (HPV)–associated diseases, including a topical treatment for genital warts and future applications aimed at HPV-related cancers.

Aurlide – Virtual molecules, real medicines
Turku-based Aurlide uses advanced in-silico drug-discovery tools to design and optimize new therapeutic molecules through computer modeling. Its expertise in virtual screening and molecular simulation demonstrates how Finnish computational science is accelerating oncology drug design.

3PBiovian – A full-service CDMO
Biovian offers full-service CDMO solutions from process development to GMP production, enabling biotech innovators to scale new therapies safely and efficiently.

Care4Living – Microbial production for cancer medicines
Turku-based Care4Living specializes in fermentation-based drug manufacturing using bacteria and other microbes to produce complex compounds such as cancer therapies, antibiotics, and immunosuppressants. The company’s approach enables production processes that would be extremely challenging or lengthy by traditional chemical synthesis.

Care4Living’s deep microbial expertise and international client base highlight its role as a trusted partner in scalable biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Faron Pharmaceuticals – Reawakening the immune system
Faron Pharmaceuticals, based in Turku, is developing bexmarilimab, a cancer therapy designed to help the immune system better recognize and attack tumors. It works by targeting a protein called Clever-1, found on certain immune cells that can become “switched off” inside tumors. By reactivating these cells, bexmarilimab aims to boost the body’s natural defense against cancer. 

Early clinical results have shown encouraging signs that Faron Pharmaceuticals’s approach may enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments for patients with limited options.

Ferring Ventures – The foundation for advanced therapies
The Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy (KCT), owned by Ferring Ventures, focuses on developing next-generation gene and cell therapies, helping researchers turn early scientific discoveries into treatments for solid cancers. Its expertise and facilities make Kuopio a leading Finnish hub for advanced therapy medicinal products.

FinVector – Manufacturing excellence
FinVector, part of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, is a GMP-certified producer of viral vectors and the manufacturer of Adstiladrin, an FDA-approved gene therapy for bladder cancer.

Kohde Pharma – Targeting MTAP-deleted tumors
Kohde Pharma is working on therapies for MTAP-deleted tumors, a genetic alteration found in about 10–15% of cancers. The company secured its first investment in spring 2025 from the FDDC. Kohde Pharma uses patient-derived data and AI to uncover new therapeutic targets and aims to move from early hit identification toward clinical development.

RNatives – RNA-based precision therapies
RNatives is developing RNA activation therapies for rare diseases, eye disorders, and oncology. Its proprietary RNAIntel platform enables targeted activation of therapeutic genes using small RNAs, offering a novel alternative to gene editing. By harnessing endogenous gene regulation, RNatives aims to restore function safely and precisely.

Orion Corporation – Legacy meets innovation
Orion, Finland’s largest pharmaceutical company, is advancing oncology with a strong focus on solid tumors. Orion scientists have a long history in developing innovative orally delivered small molecule drugs and now also utilize biologics such as antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates to address targets beyond the reach of small molecules. Orion is committed to understanding the underlying mechanisms of a patient’s disease and applying this knowledge — through comprehensive use of genetic and molecular data and identification of key cancer drivers — to discover new cancer drugs. The partnership with Bayer on Darolutamide (Nubeqa) demonstrates the global impact of Finnish cancer innovation. Orion’s diversified pipeline and international collaborations reflect a long-term commitment to oncology.

Rappta Therapeutics – Molecular glue for hard-to-treat cancers
Helsinki-based Rappta Therapeutics is developing a new class of small molecules that reactivate PP2A, a tumor-suppressor enzyme commonly inactivated in cancer cells. In 2025, Rappta signed a global licensing agreement with SpringWorks Therapeutics for its lead compound, RPT04402, receiving USD 13 million upfront and potential milestone payments totaling up to USD 250 million. Preclinical results show strong tumour regression in models of PP2A-mutant uterine cancer. SpringWorks plans to file an IND application for the therapy by the end of 2025.

Sartar Therapeutics – Precision therapy to the clinic
Helsinki-based Sartar Therapeutics is advancing SAR003, a targeted therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and other soft tissue sarcomas. The drug works through a novel molecular glue mechanism that triggers selective cancer-cell death. In October 2025, Sartar completed a successful EUR 4.7 million share issue enabling it to move toward clinical development. The company also holds ODDs from both the EMA and FDA for the treatment of GIST and FDA recently granted ODD also for the treatment of all other soft tissue sarcoma subtypes.

Tenboron – Precision radiation therapy
Tenboron (Helsinki) is developing boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a targeted radiation approach that delivers energy directly to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue – offering hope for aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers.

TILT Biotherapeutics – Turning viruses into allies 
Helsinki-based TILT Biotherapeutics is developing TILT-123, an oncolytic adenovirus therapy that reprograms the tumor micro-environment to boost immune responses against solid cancers. In May 2025 the company raised USD 25 million in a Series B financing round, supporting Phase 1/2 development in ovarian, head and neck, and lung cancers and further studies in melanoma. TILT is also collaborating with Merck & Co. (MSD) to test TILT-123 alongside Keytruda (pembrolizumab), exploring new immune-therapy combinations for hard-to-treat cancers.

Valo Therapeutics – Custom vaccines against cancer
Helsinki’s Valo Therapeutics is developing personalized cancer vaccines using its proprietary PeptiCRAd platform. The approach combines an oncolytic adenovirus with tumor-specific peptides that “teach” the body to recognize and attack cancer cells. By coating the virus with these peptides, Valo can quickly adapt the vaccine to different cancer types without genetic modification.

Diagnostics and early detection companies

Abomics – Making medicine personal
Abomics turns genetic research into practical tools for personalized healthcare. Its pharmacogenetic services help doctors choose safer, more effective medications based on a patient’s genetic profile. By translating complex data into clear treatment recommendations, Abomics is helping make precision medicine part of everyday clinical care.

Aqsens Health – Biosensors for broad disease detection
Aqsens Health (Turku) uses engineered bacteriophages as biosensors to detect disease-specific metabolic changes in urine. The technology can be adapted to identify not only prostate and bladder cancers but also other serious diseases such as pancreatic and lung cancer. It’s a fast, non-invasive method that could enable early detection and monitoring across multiple conditions.

Aqsens Health uses engineered bacteriophages as biosensors to detect disease-specific metabolic changes in urine.

Blueprint Genetics and BiopSense – Genome-driven insights
Blueprint Genetics provides world-class genetic testing for hereditary-cancer syndromes. BiopSense, a Jyväskylä based company, specializes in liquid-biopsy automation and cancer-monitoring technologies. Together they bring cutting-edge genomics closer to everyday clinical practice.

BiopSense specializes in liquid-biopsy automation and cancer-monitoring technologies.

Genevia Technologies – Turning genomic data into insight
Based in Tampere, Genevia helps researchers and companies make sense of complex biological data. Its bioinformatics uncover cancer-causing mutations and guide the development of personalized medicines. By translating massive data into clear scientific insight, Genevia bridges the gap between raw sequencing results and real understanding in cancer research.

Genomill Health – Liquid biopsy for colorectal cancer
Turku’s Genomill Health is advancing liquid-biopsy diagnostics to detect colorectal cancer through a simple blood test – providing a less-invasive and earlier detection option for patients.

Lynsight – Predicting cancer risk before it strikes
Formerly known as LS CancerDiag, Lynsight (Helsinki) developed DiagMMR, the world’s first functional test for detecting inherited DNA-repair deficiencies that cause Lynch syndrome. Early identification enables preventive care before cancer develops.

Misvik Biology – Functional precision oncology
Turku-based Misvik Biology offers personalized drug testing using patient-derived tumor samples. Its chip-based platform screens FDA-approved cancer drugs to identify effective therapies for rare or resistant cancers.

Thestra – Estimating cancer aggressivity
Thestra develops diagnostic tools to evaluate tumor aggressivity, with early applications in head-and-neck cancers. Its EPLINEx technology could help clinicians personalize treatment decisions more accurately.

Uniogen – Detecting ovarian cancer
Also in Turku, Uniogen is developing glycovariant-based assays for ovarian-cancer detection, building on research from the University of Turku and combining academic innovation with industrial-scale production.

Digital Health and Data Technologies

Aiforia Technologies – AI for pathology
Aiforia applies artificial intelligence to analyze pathology images, speeding up diagnosis and improving accuracy in identifying cancer types and biomarkers.

Aiforia applies AI to analyze pathology images, speeding up diagnosis and improving accuracy in identifying cancer types and biomarkers.

Adesante, Grundium, and Planmed – Finnish design in cancer care
From virtual-reality surgical planning to portable digital microscopes and advanced mammography systems, these Finnish innovators show how engineering and design enable  early detection and improved patient care.

BC Platforms and MediSapiens – Data integration for precision medicine
Both companies specialize in integrating clinical, genomic, and imaging data into secure platforms that support precision medicine and international research collaboration.

Finnadvance – Human biology on a chip
Based in Oulu, Finnadvance builds miniature “disease-on-a-chip” systems that replicate how human cells behave inside the body. These microfluidic models let researchers study complex tissue interactions and test new treatments in realistic conditions – helping bridge the gap between lab experiments and real-world biology. 

Kaiku Health – Patient-reported outcomes for better care
Now part of Elekta, Kaiku Health enables patients to track symptoms and side effects remotely. Clinicians can adjust treatment in real time, improving outcomes and quality of life.

SOLID-IO – Tumor-on-a-chip innovation
Helsinki’s SOLID-IO is transforming oncology with a tumor-on-a-chip platform that delivers real-time, patient-specific insights to guide treatment. This micro-engineered model lets researchers study how a person’s tumor responds to therapies – before the treatment is given.

about the author

Nina Pulkkis is CEO at Photino Science Communications and Founder at SynBio Powerlabs. She is also Science Communicator at Finnish Bioindustries and wrote this Commentary, originally published in NLS magazine No 04 2025.