Medaffcon Becomes Member of Pharma Industry Finland – Jarmo Hahl Joins the Board
The membership offers a broader view of industry developments and supports the company’s work to advance sustainable healthcare.
6th Nordic RWE and AI conference – 27-28 January 2026, Helsinki
How can RWD and AI transform drug development and strengthen value-based regulatory and HTA decision-making?
The 6th Nordic RWE and AI Conference, hosted by the University of Helsinki and Åbo Akademi University, explores these themes through a program highlighting collaboration, Nordic data excellence, methodological innovation, and real-world applications.
The Nordic RWE and AI conference brings together leading experts, researchers, and stakeholders to explore how RWD and AI can transform drug development, regulatory decision-making, and healthcare — with patient needs at the center. The goal is to highlight the Nordic region’s unique advantages, foster collaboration across academia, industry, and regulators, and accelerate value-based, patient-focused healthcare.
Venue: University of Helsinki, Main Building, Fabianinkatu 33, 00170 Helsinki, Finland – Auditorium and Agora Hall
Time: Tue 27 January 12.00-17.45 (networking event 18:30-19:30), Wed 28 January 9.00-15.30 (EET)
For more information contact Mia Bengtström.
The conference is free of charge to all participants—thanks to the support of the sponsors—though registration is required and a no-show fee applies. As participation is limited to 490 seats and the event is consistently highly popular, we encourage you to register early to secure your place. Please note that a separate registration is required for the networking event.
The agenda will continue to be updated as we approach the seminar dates.
PROGRAM:
Using the Excellent RWD Assets in the Nordic Region to Improve Drug Development, Value-Based Decision Making and Healthcare Where Patient Needs Are in Focus
DAY 1
12.00 Registration, networking and exhibition in Agora Hall
Welcome, background and practicalities. Mia Bengtström Visiting Researcher, University of Helsinki and Associate professor, Åbo Akademi University
Use of RWD and AI in Drug development
Value and drivers of clinical trials and RWD studies, Erkki Soini, Chairman of the Board, Health Economist. ESiOR Oy
AI-Driven Real-World Evidence: Unlocking Early Detection and Drug Repurposing in Dementia, Christian Jonasson, Research Director, NordicRWE
Fingenious® service and Finnish biobanks offer unique opportunities for biomedical research, Johanna Mäkelä, PhD, Director of Research and Services, FINBB
A Finnish Nationwide Register Study Describing People With and Without ADHD, Tuire Prami, Oriola
The Power of Three – A Tripartite Collaboration in Register Research, Katja Nolvi, Associate Director, Quantify Research
Advancing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) prevention through health and social data in Finland session by Novartis
- Janne Martikainen, Professor, Data Science and Evidence Generation, ESIOR
- Annukka Kivela, Nordic Evidence Generation and Early Pipeline Lead, Novartis
- Tanja Hakkarainen, Healthcare Partnership Director, a.i, Novartis Finland
FIREFLY: classifying induced vasomotor symptoms using RWD and natural language processing, Samu Kurki, Strategic Project Lead, Bayer
18.30- 19.30 The Networking Event hosted by the City of Helsinki
Join us for a networking reception at Helsinki City Hall (Pohjoisesplanadi 11–13). Capacity is limited to 200 participants.
Register—and cancel your registration if needed—by 20 January 2026: https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/reception27january. Registration confirmation is sent by email from edustus@hel.fi. Please present personal QR code ticket at entrance.
DAY 2
Value-based Regulatory and HTA Decision-Making
External Control Arms in Regulatory and HTA Decision-Making, session by MedEngine
- Host: Karin Luttropp, Senior Advisor – Real World Evidence NE Hub, Eli Lilly
- Evolving Guidelines on External Control Arms in Regulatory Decision-Making in Europe; Elina Asikanius, Biostatistician, FIMEA
- The Role of Real-World Evidence in Nordic Health Technology Assessment; Saku Torvinen, Market Access Director, MedEngine
- Methodological Approaches to Optimize Clinical Trials with External Control Arms; Maria Guzman-Castillo, Senior Data Scientist, MedEngine
Transportability and External Validity: Approaches to Generalizing Evidence, Iiro Toppila Data Analysis Lead, Medaffcon
Session on Value-based Healthcare (J&J presentations to be announced)
Value of Patient Experience Data When Addressing Local Stakeholders’ Needs, James Turnbull, Senior Principal, Patient Centered Solutions, IQVIA
Strengthening Confidence in RWE for Assisted Reproductive Technology: Merck KGaA’s Commitment to Scientific Rigor, Lise Braathen-Pettersen, Global Medical Director Fertility, Merck Healthcare
Unlocking the Power of RWE and AI for Cardiovascular Health: Insights from Helsinki, Riikka-Leena Leskelä, Research Director, Senior Partner, Nordic Healthcare Group
Next-Generation Anonymization: Securing Nordic RWD for Cross-Border AI & RWE Innovation, Tuomo Pentikäinen, CEO of VEIL.AI
The Journey from Care to Evidence: Tackling Registry Hurdles, Hanna Heloterä, Senior Consultant, Pharmaca Health Intelligence Oy
Danish Patient Pathway AI, IQVIA
Sponsors and Partners
