Personalized medicine leverages genetic and other biological data for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Funded by a grant from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the project lays the groundwork for a national personalized medicine program in Finland, with cancer and neurological diseases serving as pilot areas.
“Personalized medicine represents the future, and Finland has significant opportunities to harness its potential. This project is an important step towards a national program that will enhance both healthcare and research,” says Tomi Mäkelä, Director of the Finnish Cancer Center.
Enhancing collaboration between biobanks and national centers of excellence
The project aims to promote the integration of personalized medicine into the healthcare system by strengthening collaboration between biobanks and national centers of expertise (FICAN, Neurocenter Finalnd).
Key activities include improving the collection of biobank samples related to the pilot diseases, standardizing the recording of health data associated with these samples, and ensuring broader access to biobank samples and linked data critical for healthcare and research.
The project will reinforce the role of biobanks in the development of personalized medicine. “By harmonizing and strengthening biobank sample collection and data flows at the national level, we can better support both research and individualized patient care,” says Tom Southerington, Interim CEO of the Finnish Biobank Cooperative (FINBB).
Eero Rissanen, Director of the Neurocenter Finland, highlights the project’s importance in advancing brain health: “Personalized prevention and treatment of brain diseases—including neurological disorders and mental health conditions—require the simultaneous use of large datasets and diverse data types. By enhancing collaboration in the utilization of sample data for patient care and research, we are also laying a strong foundation for new innovations.”
Towards a national personalized medicine program
The project will continue until October 2026, and its outcomes will inform the planning of Finland’s national personalized medicine program. Progress can be followed on the websites and social media channels of Finnish Cancer Center, Neurocenter Finalnd, and the participating biobanks.
More information:
Tomi Mäkelä, Director, FICAN firstname.surename@fican.fi
