Pharma Sector

We study vaccines with decades of experience and internationally recognized, high-quality scientific expertise. Our comprehensive network of clinics offers first-class prerequisites for this. FVR offers clinical vaccine research expertise aimed at obtaining a license for marketing authorization (phases 1–3), as well as post-licensure investigations into the effectiveness and safety of vaccines already in use (phase 4). We have strong expertise in Real-World Evidence (RWE) studies and pragmatic vaccine trials, utilizing Finland’s comprehensive health registers and data resources.

Why work with FVR – Finnish Vaccine Research?

Decades of vaccine study experience from more than 160 studies throughout all age groups. Comprehensive offering for
phases 1-4.
Broad national network of clinics, only one contract. Smooth collaboration with healthcare providers.
High study partner satisfaction (2023 sponsor & monitor satisfaction survey).
High study volunteer satisfaction, low drop-out rate (HappyOrNot feedback devices at clinics).
Delivering on our promises with study partners (Vaccine manufacturer and monitor satisfaction study 2023).
  • Capability to enroll high volumes of participants for clinical trials (thousands) and large pragmatic trials (tens of thousands)
  • Decades of vaccine study experience from >160 studies throughout all age groups
  • Strong references for post-licensure studies, favourable Finnish operating-environment
  • Core focus on vaccine trials
  • Continuous development mindset, agility and drive to innovate together with partners
  • Quick start-up processes and efficient administration
Approx. 100 GCP-qualified research experts
across Finland, with decades of accumulated experience
No. of new launched studies each year, working with major vaccine manufacturers/big pharma R&D10-15
Total no. of ongoing studies/ year26 (in 2023), 11 different pathogens
Average no. of new enrolled volunteers /year (top year)Top year for clinical trials 11,000, for pragmatic trials >30,000

Why study vaccines in Finland?

Population 5.6 million. All residents have a personal unique identifier
(enumeration) for linking individual-level health data
Vaccine confidence among Finns is high (source: European Commission, 2022: ”I believe vaccines are…”)
Secondary use of health data: Finland is the first European country to set up a specific legal act on the secondary use of health and social data in 2019 (applies to register-based research)
100% electronic medical records digitally accessible: Finland has 100% electronic medical records (EMR) penetration and the only EMR in the world where clinical, social care, prescriptions, patient reported outcomes, and social determinants of health are fully integrated (source: Business Finland)
Unique data from biobanks: Finland has an internationally unique Biobank Act that makes collections of hospitals and research institutes available for all researchers
The reach of our clinics is not limited to their location as we also reach neighboring municipalities
City/townPopulation size, end-2023
Espoo314,024
Helsinki (2 clinics)674,500
Järvenpää46,490
Kokkola48,295
Oulu214,633
Pori (closure planned)83,106
Seinäjoki66,160
Tampere255,050
Turku201,863
(source: Statistics Finland)
FVR’s network of ten clinics
(Pori clinic closure planned)

Contact us

Arto Palmu
Chief Research & Medical Officer
Licentiate of Medicine, MD
Doctor of Philosophy, Ph. D.
Specialist in Public Health Medicine
University lecturer in clinical epidemiology

Publications:
96 original scientific articles, 3 supervised dissertations, opponent in two doctoral dissertations

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8071-8896

Contact:
+358 50 5497 113
arto.palmu (a) fvr.fi