People make the difference

Juho is a seasoned biomedical technology professional with more than ten years of experience in managing commercialization of academic discoveries and projects at Tampere University, University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology. Alongside with SPARK duties he works as a senior specialist in Tampere University Innovation Services with responsibilities in commercialization projects.

His core responsibilities at SPARK Finland are coordination of Tampere region activities, educational elements and mentor network, and supporting SPARKees in engineering and medical technology challenges. Also SPARK Europe activities are increasingly on his task list.

Amanda is an international character and has a BSc in Biomedical Science (University of Aberdeen) and MSc in Entrepreneurship and Business Creation in Life Science (University of Gothenburg). Her career started in Gothenburg with business development projects (related to funding, IP, R&D…) in medical device and pharmaceutical space. After that she moved to Finland and has worked for Helsinki Innovation Services (HIS) as a commercialization officer. Currently – alongside with SPARK – she works as a business development officer at University of Helsinki Research Services.

Amanda is now on her maternity leave and Sebastian Soidinsalo replaces her at the moment.

Her core responsibilities at SPARK Finland are in commercial aspects of the projects and coordination of SPARK activities in Helsinki capital region.

Sebastian is a business development professional specialized in pharma and diagnostic industry. He has MSc in Drug Discovery and Development (University of Turku) and MSc in Business Administration & Bioentrepreneurship (Copenhagen Business School). He has years of experience in early stage product and business development, and commercialization activities in academia and early stage companies. Alongside with SPARK he works as a business development specialist at Helsinki Innovation Services (HIS) and a product development manager at startup Resistomap Oy.

While Amanda is on her maternity leave Sebastian replaces her at SPARK.

His core responsibilities at SPARK Finland are in commercial aspects of pharma and diagnostic projects and coordination of SPARK activities in Helsinki capital region.

Antti is a molecular biologist by training and has strong scientific background in vascular biology. He has also wide experience in project management and developing academic discoveries towards the commercial potential. He has worked in several roles in the Kuopio region development ecosystem. Alongside with SPARK manager role he works as an innovation advisor at Neurocenter Finland.

His core responsibilities at SPARK Finland are in validation studies and commercial aspects of the projects, and coordination of SPARK activities in Kuopio and Joensuu regions.

Thomas is a business professional with MScEng degree in Industrial Engineering and Management with major in strategy (Tampere University of Technology). He is experienced as a high tech entrepreneur, mentor for early stage ventures, and consultant for companies, universities, and public organizations.

He joined with Pasi already in 2003 – after completing as the CEO and co-founder of a biomanufacturing startup – to establish a business design clinic in health and sports technologies. The program’s impact was praised by its clients, and it was also recognized for excellence in promoting innovation (e.g. OECD’s assessment of learning regions). Since then he has been freelancing as a business designer collaborating with teams and organizations to create new businesses and roadmaps for growth and renewal. His approach involves bringing clarity to the overall development process, developing strategic insight, and applying design thinking.

His core responsibilities at SPARK Finland are in commercial and strategy aspects of the projects and coordination of SPARK activities in Turku region.

Outi is a biomedical engineering and higher education administration professional. She has a PhD in biomedical engineering. During the previous years she has worked in planning higher education, including the coordination of establishing a number of new degree programs in the field of engineering. These programs include Finland’s first University-level Bachelor’s degree program taught in English in the field of engineering and an international Master’s Degree Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering.

Her core responsibility at SPARK Finland is to manage and build with Eriikka and education platform in collaboration with our national and global network. Alongside with SPARK duties she works at Tampere University in education administration.

Eriikka has a strong clinical background having been a nurse for 10 years at Helsinki University Hospital. After that she went to University of Turku and received her MSc in nursing sciences and alongside her job currently prepares her PhD. She is highly integrated to several key programs and projects in Turku region health and life science ecosystem.

Her core responsibility at SPARK Finland is build SPARK education platform with Outi and Ulla. Alongside with SPARK duties she works as an Innovation Agent at Turku University Hospital.

Raija has a long career as an assistant in several departments at the University of Helsinki. She has been former assistant for the dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and currently she works at Faculty of Medicine, Clinicum on-site service team. She has expertise in administrative functions and collaboration between scientific and clinical institutions.

Her core responsibilities at SPARK Finland are support activities, organizing meetings and events, and reporting to our support network.

Juuso is a cardiologist by training and brings a wide spectrum of competencies on drug development from pre-clinical through phases I-IV, clinical research, regulatory issues, companion diagnostics and eHealth. Whilst continuing his clinical engagement in cardiology, his former assignments include Director Physician role at AstraZeneca R&D (Gothenburg, Sweden) and research physician at The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia. Currently he is a CEO and co-founder of a health tech startup Precordior Ltd.

Juuso’s support responsibilities at SPARK Finland are in the fields of medical expertise, regulatory aspects and clinical trials. He is also supporting Turku based activities in Finnish program.

Pasi is an internationally acknowledged business and finance professional – specialized in sensor systems, health IT and bioinformatics – with 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, consult, early stage financier, advisor,… and also working with his PhD projects.

His core responsibilities at SPARK Finland are general management of the program, contribution with the SPARK Global network, and supporting SPARKees in health IT/bioinformatics and commercial aspects. He is appointed also as a member of SPARK Global Steering Committee and Chairman of global working group on “Finance”.