“Orion has been an international company for decades, but it is now aiming for a stronger foothold and growth, particularly in major markets,” stated President and CEO of Orion Corporation Liisa Hurme.

The Internationalisation Awards of the President of the Republic of Finland are bestowed annually in recognition of internationally successful Finnish companies or communities. The evaluation emphasises competitiveness, the international nature of the company’s business operations, and profitability. Other criteria include responsible business practices, contributions to Finnish expertise and employment, attraction of foreign investment, and the international promotion of Finland’s innovation environment.

Various business sector experts, operators, and organisations made nominations for the awards. The final proposal for the awards was presented to the President of the Republic by the Team Finland network, Business Finland, Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Finland’s export credit agency Finnvera and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

“Orion’s roots are in Finland, but its influence extends far beyond the Nordics. Orion’s medicines are used in over 100 countries, and its innovations have changed the lives of millions of people around the world. Orion’s R&D capabilities are growing alongside its global footprint. In 2025, the company opened new research facilities in Cambridge, UK, and in 2023 in New York City, USA. Orion goes where innovation happens, bringing together top scientists, top research institutions, and strong datasets, combined with cutting-edge technology to enable the company to bring innovative medicines to patients,” stated the Jury.

A prostate cancer drug

One of the reasons Orion was granted the award was a prostate cancer drug, invented by Orion and manufactured in Finland. There is a significant need for new treatments, as prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed malignant cancer in men worldwide, with 1.5 million men receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis annually. Cumulatively, approximately 175,000 patients have already benefited from the drug developed jointly by Orion and Bayer, reflecting the global impact of this innovation. In 2024, a significant milestone was reached when this prostate cancer drug achieved blockbuster status of annual 1 billion euro sales.