South West Finland, a Hotspot for Clinical Research and Drug Development

Mika Scheinin, Professor of Pharmacology at the Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku and managing director at academic CRO, Clinical Research Services Turku (CRST) has reported that close to half of the Finnish pharmaceutical industry’s turnover is generated by enterprises within the Turku area. The region specialises in several areas including hormonal diseases and cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases, as well as central nervous system diseases.

In more detail, Mika Scheinin’s research found that South-West Finland is a hotspot in biomedically oriented clinical research and in clinical drug development. Its economic centre, Turku, is a lively university town with good connections to Stockholm and Copenhagen, and via them, to the rest of the world. The University of Turku and Turku University Hospital are located on a single compact campus and clinical and basic scientists move freely between these two organizations, creating a truly translational research environment. Molecular biosciences and cardiovascular and metabolic research are special focus areas of the University. Imaging with positron emission tomography forms one of the internationally best known technology platforms in the region: Turku PET Centre is among the world leaders in the field in terms of research volume, quality and impact. Special emphasis has been placed on the creation of smooth and efficient procedures for collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry.

About Mika Scheinin, M.D. Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology
Mika Scheinin is Director of CRST. He has experience in clinical studies for the pharmaceutical industry since the 1980’s. At the University of Turku, he leads his own research group focusing on G-protein coupled receptors and is Director of a postgraduate training programme, the Drug Discovery Graduate School. He is chairman of the Ethics Committee of South-West Finland Hospital District and has previously served as President of the Finnish Pharmacological Society.

About Clinical Research Services Turku (CRST)
CRST is a Clinical Research Organisation that provides a wide array of clinical, preclinical and bio-analytical research services for drug developers. CRST specialises in the early phases of clinical drug development, in particular in the facilitation of proof-of-concept by scientifically demanding studies.

At CRST we have a committed team who are professionals in clinical trials. Our team comprises of clinical researchers, laboratory technicians, study nurses and other research personnel who will work alongside you to achieve your goals in study planning, reporting and conduct.

Our aptitude in technologies and expertise has been built on networking with academic and private partners in Finland. Through networking we have enhanced our knowledge enabling us to provide services covering all areas of clinical drug research. This allows us to provide cutting-edge solutions established on the most up-to-date scientific information.

The work carried out at CRST is in accordance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines as well as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations in regards to clinical studies.

For more information or to discuss clinical research and drug development please contact us directly.