FinTrials to be established in Finland to boost clinical trials and investigations

A national operating model for clinical trials (FinTrials) will be established in Finland to improve the coordination of clinical trials of medicines and clinical investigations of medical devices. The aim is to increase the number of such studies in Finland, accelerate their launch and improve patients’ opportunities to access new treatments.

Prime Minister Orpo’s Government decided on the introduction of the FinTrials model in its mid-term policy review session. FinTrials will bring together the parties conducting clinical trials and investigations into a joint network while harmonising practices and procedures throughout the country. The reform is part of the RDI Growth Programme for Health and Wellbeing coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The work is based on a report published by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra in autumn 2025, and the preparation of the reform has continued in a working group appointed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 

FinTrials to be established in connection with Finnish Biobank Cooperative

The FinTrials coordination unit will operate in connection with the Finnish Biobank Cooperative (FINBB). FINBB’s current structures, biobank activities and cooperation networks provide a good foundation for launching the national operating model.

The key aim is to make use of Finland’s strengths in the safe use of health data, in research infrastructures and in technological expertise and to promote more personalised healthcare.

The coordination unit will support clinical trials and investigations conducted in wellbeing services counties with a university hospital and in the HUS Helsinki University Hospital. It will develop common systems and indicators, streamline research processes and serve as the national contact point for those conducting clinical trials and investigations. Other wellbeing services counties may also participate in clinical trials and investigations, relying on collaborative areas for healthcare and social welfare.

The aim of FinTrials operations is also to make more efficient use of resources, improve the monitoring of the quality of clinical trials and investigations and develop the competence of professionals within the network as a whole.
The joint operating model will support wellbeing services counties in launching clinical trials and investigations. At the same time, it will help patients participate in clinical trials for new medicines, devices and treatments. 

FinTrials to be launched in stages

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will participate in the guidance and funding of FinTrials’ start-up phase. The work to establish FinTrials was launched in a meeting between Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen and the owners of FINBB on 9 June 2026.

“Finland has world-class expertise in research. We must be able to further strengthen and channel this expertise to develop new medicines and improve healthcare. Through FinTrials, our goal is to attract more clinical trials to Finland and boost growth and exports in the field. Similar models are already in use in Denmark and Sweden, for example. Finland has excellent opportunities to multiply the funding and growth potential provided by clinical research,” says Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. 

FinTrials will start operating in stages in 2026–2027. The first stage includes establishing a national coordination unit and strengthening regional research structures. A call for government grant applications for strengthening regional research structures and establishing the coordination unit will open in June 2026. The total amount of grants to be awarded is EUR 2 million.

The counties’ own input will play a key role in the volume of trials and investigations they will be conducting in future.
Aiming for more research and investments in Finland

The key aim of FinTrials is to increase the number of clinical trials and investigations conducted in Finland, accelerate their launch and strengthen Finland’s position as an international research environment. Another aim is to facilitate the implementation of such trials and investigations by providing researchers more uniform operating models, services and access to information.

“At present, Finland lags behind many of the reference countries in the quantity of clinical trials. FinTrials aims to boost Finland’s competitiveness as a research environment and to increase research activities throughout the country,” says Programme Director Päivi Sillanaukee.

According to the information provided by Pharma Industry Finland, clinical trials and investigations bring research investments worth more than EUR 250 million to Finland every year. The export of health technology devices and software already exceeds EUR 3 billion a year.

Clinical trials and investigations benefit patients, healthcare and the national economy. FinTrials aims to create a permanent operating model in Finland which supports the development and introduction of new treatments.

Inquiries

Päivi Sillanaukee, Programme Director, tel. +358 295 163 356, [email protected]