FVR – Finnish Vaccine Research Ltd, one of Europe’s leading commercial vaccine trial service providers, is growing its core competencies by hiring extensive industry and medical expertise.
Santtu Heinonen appointed
Lead Medical Expert
MD, PhD, ORCID >>
Santtu is a pediatrician, soon to finalize specialty in pediatric infectious diseases. He has more than 15 years of experience in clinical work and different research positions at the University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital and the Meilahti Vaccine Research Center (MeVac).
Santtu is responsible for the development of the company’s medical expertise and the medical evaluation and guidance of projects.
Marissa Gripenberg appointed Senior R&D Specialist
Master of Science in Control of Infectious Diseases
Marissa is an internationally experienced epidemiologist specializing in vaccine development and immunization. She has solid experience of vaccine research in Big Pharma (Sanofi, GSK), as well as a significant NGO/humanitarian aid work history as a field epidemiologist (Médecins Sans Frontières MSF, Doctors Without Borders). In addition, Marissa has worked at the World Health Organization.
Marissa’s role includes the creation and development of FVR R&D relationships and local and international networks.
Katja Volanto-Lumppio appointed Head of Research Services
Master of Science, Biology
Katja brings over 25 years of experience in pharma industry to FVR (e.g. Bayer, ICON). She has worked in clinical research in various leadership roles and therapeutic areas, including vaccines, e.g. as line manager in monitoring and project management functions.
Katja leads FVR’s Research Services matrix function, which is responsible for the company’s customer account management, project management office, study data management, supervision of the medical and nursing expertise for the study projects as well as best research practices, and advancement of FVR’s R&D strategy.
“We are ensuring we have the best people in place to help us take FVR’s growth strategy forward. We are strengthening our core competencies and enhancing FVR’s scientific and public health impact for the benefit of our study partners and society. The company is extremely well positioned to compete and excel internationally in both clinical vaccine trials as well as post-licensure studies and is attracting industry-leading talent to secure bigger studies and Big Pharma R&D investment in Finland,” says Arto Palmu, Chief Research & Medical Officer. “Promoting global health security, science-based vaccination expertise and public acceptance by means of high-quality vaccine research is a highly meaningful mission for us to work on.”
further information
Arto Palmu
CHIEF RESEARCH AND MEDICAL OFFICER
Licentiate of Medicine MD
Doctor of Philosophy, Ph. D.
Specialist in Public Health Medicine
University Lecturer in Clinical Epidemiology
FVR – Finnish Vaccine Research Ltd.
arto.palmu (at) fvr.fi
+358 50 549 7113