Yongbao Zhuang and Wenyang Shi: Scientific thinking with meaningful real-world impact
Doctoral researchers Yongbao Zhuang and Wenyang Shi are interns at the Medaffcon office in Stockholm.
All articles
-
-
Medaffcon Contributes to the Public Good through Academic Collaboration
While the majority of Medaffcon’s revenue comes from the pharmaceutical industry, the company’s activities are not limited only to commercial projects. At any given time, several academic projects may be ongoing.
-
A Study on Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia Demonstrates the Concrete Potential of Registry Research
The study generated significant new insights into the epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis of the rare blood cancer Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.
-
Digital contraception is a cost-effective alternative to hormonal contraception
Digital solutions challenge established perceptions of what constitutes acceptable contraceptive methods and which health benefits are considered measurable.
-
Hospital data enabled a comprehensive RWE study on the treatment of complex lung cancer
The RWE study examined the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC, illustrating how treatment practices have changed from the first years of immunotherapy to present day.
-
Finland Introduces a National Health Data Space Model – The Role of Industry Still Needs Clarification
The objective is to improve access to health data for research and innovation, but the proposal raises concerns about increased administrative burden and the role of industry within the model.
-
New Studies Confirm Urgent Need to Enhance Management of Diabetes and Diabetic Kidney Disease in Finland
The monitoring and diagnosis of diabetic kidney disease are often insufficient in Finland. This is confirmed by two real-world evidence (RWE) studies.
-
ISPOR Nordic Chapter Brings a Nordic Voice in a Global Network
The Nordic Chapter brings together a wide range of stakeholders from across the Nordic countries, providing a platform where research, policy-making and everyday healthcare practice meet.
-
ISPOR Emphasised Concerns about Europe’s Position in Global Pharmaceutical Development
What do you remember from the ISPOR conference in November? In this overview we discuss which topics are worth following in 2026.
-
Applying Transportability to Strengthen Pharma Evidence in the Nordics
Transportability and generalizability refer to the ability to apply evidence from a single study to different patient populations, clinical settings, or geographical regions.
-
Early initiation of biologic treatment in psoriasis helps prevent the cumulative burden of disease
A large proportion of patients with psoriasis need to switch biologic treatment after initiation. This finding emerges from two RWE studies focusing on plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
-
The Secondary Use Act Will Be Reformed in 2026, Streamlining the Use of Data in Research
The reform of the Secondary Use Act will establish a new decentralised process, in parallel to the current centralised permit model in which Findata grants all data permits.
-
CEO’s Christmas Greetings 2025
As we approach the end of 2025 and prepare to slow down for the holidays, I want to take a moment to reflect on an exceptional year for Medaffcon—one defined by growth and expansion.
-
6th Nordic RWE and AI conference – 27-28 January 2026, Helsinki
The conference explores how real-world data (RWD) and artificial intelligence (AI) can transform drug development, regulatory and HTA decision-making, and ultimately drive value-based, patient-focused healthcare.
-
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.
-
Finland Leads the Way Toward the EHDS, but Local Readiness Remains Limited
Finland is moving toward the European Health Data Space (EHDS) with strong national systems, but local readiness, funding, and interoperability remain challenges.
-
Medaffcon’s CORE Data Shows: Hospital Care Costs Declining, PD-L1 Testing and Immuno-Oncology Treatments Increasing in the HUS Region of Finland
The studies are based on Medaffcon’s Collaboration Research (CORE) dataset – a unique research platform.
-
Customer Needs at the Centre of Patient Dynamics Development
Medaffcon develops the Patient Dynamics tool based on customer feedback and user experience.
-
Patient Dynamics Tool Being Developed for Even Deeper Understanding
Patient Dynamics tool compiles up-to-date and regional data on medicine use in Finland and Sweden.
-
Medaffcon Provides Temporary Staffing Services Across the Nordics
An outsourced employee is a flexible solution for a company’s short-term resourcing need or for longer absence such as parental leave or sick leave.
-
Overall survival among SCT patients with multiple myeloma has improved between 2013 and 2022
This Finnish registry-based study investigated the development of treatment practices and patient outcomes between 2013 and 2022.
-
Preparing for the EHDS Era in Sweden Requires Major Investments
The European Health Data Space Regulation (EHDS) is set to transform the use of health data across Europe.
-
The Nordic countries join forces in HTA medicine assessments
The aim of the cooperation is to harmonize processes and produce joint assessments that each country can use in its own decision-making.
-
Up to 20–30 Percent of All Care May Be of Low Value to Patients
Eliminating low-value care is a key means of safeguarding the sustainability and quality of healthcare.
-
The Nordics Should Collaborate in the Life Science Sector
Access times to medicines vary greatly between European countries, and delays in oncology drugs in particular are increasing.
-
Unlocking Nordic Healthcare Data with Medaffcon
A Nordic approach to data collection carried out through Medaffcon saves clients’ resources, reduces duplicate work, and accelerates processes.
-
Ling Zhu Brings Versatile Expertise to the Data Team in Sweden
Medaffcon’s new data team member, Ling Zhu, works in Medaffcon’s Stockholm office.
-
Finland is Developing a Model for the Assessment and Reimbursement of Digital Therapies
Finland is developing a model to streamline the adoption of digital healthcare solutions.
-
Summer Greetings from our CEO
As summer approaches, it’s a great time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the progress we’ve made together.
-
Discussions on Fair Pricing of Medicines at the Swedish Health Economics Days
The Swedish Health Economics Association (SHEA) held its annual conference, offering valuable insights into key topics in health economics.
-
Target Trial Emulation brings the logic of randomized trials into real-world data
Target Trial Emulation does not replace randomized controlled trials, but it applies their logic and rigor to real-world data analysis.
-
Data Team is the Backbone of Medaffcon, Ensuring the Reliability of Research Results
The data team keeps Medaffcon's research projects on track and ensures that the research findings are scientifically sound. At the heart of the team’s work is the processing and analysis of patient data, particularly in RWE studies.
-
Sweden’s TLV Updates Reimbursement Model for Rare Diseases
Sweden has introduced a new reimbursement model for orphan drugs, likely to increase treatment options for rare diseases. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies are now expected to provide local evidence.
-
Medaffcon Presented Insights from Finnish Real-World Data at European Lung Cancer Congress
Medaffcon's European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) poster showcased key findings from a recent study on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
-
An Experienced Researcher seeks answers for their clients
Johan Rehnberg started working as a Scientific Advisor at Medaffcon’s Swedish office in August 2024. He is a dynamic researcher who values opportunities to learn new things and develop his skills – opportunities that Medaffcon provides.
-
Medaffcon’s Machine Learning Algorithm Adapts to Various Research Needs
The algorithm was originally developed to extract smoking status from patient texts with purpose to analyze the effects of smoking on postoperative complications. Today, it is also being utilized in lung cancer research.
-
Asthma and Antibiotic Use Increase the Risk of Revision Surgery in CRSwNP Patients
Asthma and antibiotic use are linked to a higher risk of revision surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This finding is based on a real-world evidence (RWE) study published in February.
-
The Demand for Outsourced Experts is Growing in Pharmaceutical Companies
Medaffcon provides skilled temporary workforce solutions for its client companies. An outsourced expert is a flexible solution to address a company's short-term resourcing challenges.
-
Medaffcon’s Market Access Team Prepares Nordic Projects under the Leadership of Simo Jääskeläinen
Medaffcon’s Market Access team welcomed a new leader in mid-November, as Simo Jääskeläinen returned to his familiar workplace after a six-year hiatus.
-
Prostate Cancer Study Successfully Linked Deep Clinical Hospital Data with Broader Healthcare Data
A RWE study on the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has provided new insights into the therapeutic strategies for mCRPC. The analysis was based on data from 2,500 patients treated in Finland.
-
Lymphoma Project by the University of Eastern Finland and Medaffcon Generates Over Ten Publications
The lymphoma research project has proven to be an exceptionally versatile source of new knowledge. The project includes at least two doctoral researchers, and its results are expected to generate well over ten scientific articles.
-
Extensive Finnish Study Offers New Insights into Infection Risk and Mortality in Multiple Myeloma
A recent real-world evidence (RWE) study revealed that multiple myeloma (MM) patients experience more infections compared to healthy controls, even prior to diagnosis. Infections, both before and after diagnosis, were associated with an increased mortality.
-
5th Nordic RWE and AI conference – 28-29 January 2025, Helsinki
5th Nordic RWE and AI conference is organized by University of Helsinki and Åbo Akademi University. Register to the event here!
-
RWE Study: Chronic Kidney Disease often goes undiagnosed
Despite its high-risk nature and availability of kidney treatments, chronic kidney disease (CKD) often goes undiagnosed. This especially concerns patients without type 2 diabetes (T2D), who represent the majority of CKD patients. This finding comes from a recent registry study published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT).
-
AI Brings New Opportunities to RWE Research – Its Use in Health Data Analysis is Limited
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming research and working life across various industries. But what is its significance in health data analysis and real-world evidence (RWE) research? Medaffcon’s experts, Juhani Aakko and Lisse-Lotte Hermansson, share their perspectives on AI in their work.