No 02 2021

Finnish Heidi Haikala has a foot in two life science worlds. As a cancer researcher she has established her own research group at the University of Helsinki and Tampere University, and she is also a co-founder of the startup company Solid IO.

Finnish AI pathology company Aiforia has won the public vote in the enterprise category of Vuoden Digiteko 2026 (Digital Innovation of the Year). The competition recognizes Finnish technology innovations with an exceptionally high impact on society, business, and people’s everyday lives.

Oncopeptides’ peptide drug conjugate crossed the blood-brain barrier in the first three patients treated in a glioblastoma study at Oslo University Hospital. Drug concentrations in the tumors matched preclinical models.

Orexo's board has resolved on a rights issue of about SEK 250 million, subject to approval at an extraordinary general meeting on November 6. The money is mainly for the company's development programs, including the first pivotal trial of OX640.

Dutch life science investor Forbion has raised EUR 2.3 billion (USD 2.6 billion) across two new funds. This is a record for the firm and one of the largest life science venture capital raises globally in the past five years. The new money comes into a European biotech market that has long been short of growth capital.

Per Uhlén, professor of cell signaling at Karolinska Institutet, has received the 2026 Lennart Nilsson Award. The award was presented on October 8 at KI’s professorial installation ceremony in Aula Medica, in recognition of his advanced microscopy methods that visualize the fundamental processes of life.

Finnish Orion Pharma has signed an agreement with Qilu Pharma Europe for a pembrolizumab biosimilar for the European market. A day earlier, it dosed the first patient with ODM-216, its first biologic drug candidate to reach clinical testing.