Russian-Finnish Life Sciences Center Was Opened in St. Petersburg

​The fourth annual Russian-Finnish Experience of Cooperation between Universities and Pharmaceutical Companies: From Research to Practice symposium was organised this year. The Russian-Finnish Life Sciences Center was officially presented during the symposium.

The Russian-Finnish Life Sciences Center has been founded by three Finnish and two Russian partners. The partners include St. Petersburg Chemical-Pharmaceutical Academy (SPCPA), the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University, Turku Science Park, and the Union “Medico-Pharmaceutical Projects: XXI Century”.

The Center was presented in a press conference where the directors of the five partner organisations shared their visions on the operation and development of the Center. Present at the official presentation were Rector of SPCPA Igor Narkevich, Rector Kalervo Väänänen from the University of Turku, Vice Rector Niklas Sandler from Åbo Akademi University, Scientific Director Jyrki Heino from Turku BioCity, CEO Niko Kyynäräinen from Turku Science Park, and Zakhar Golant who is the Chairman of the Board of the Union Medico-Pharmaceutical Projects: XXI Century.

The presentation audience also consisted of several researchers, teachers and students from both Russia and Finland. Mayor of Turku Aleksi Randell also sent his regards to the participants via video. After the presentation of the Center, the Rector of St. Petersburg’s State Chemical Pharmaceutical Academy (SPCPA) awarded Rector Kalervo Väänänen from the University of Turku with the title of Honorary Professor.

Rector Igor Narkevich from SPCPA (left) awarded Rector Kalervo Väänänen from the University of Turku with the title of Honorary Professor.

Towards Lively Discussion on Education, Research and Industry

The Russian-Finnish Life Sciences Center provides a unique place for interaction between students, teachers, scientists, as well as experts from pharmaceutical and biomedical companies from both countries. The Center is a place for sharing ideas, knowledge and experience between its users.

– We believe that this project will strengthen collaboration between universities and pharmaceutical companies in Finland, and also support scientific research in the field of drug development. This projects also promotes friendship between St. Petersburg and Finland, said Rector Igor Narkevich from SPCPA.

Director of the Center Tatiana Buldakova introduced the new facilities to Rector Väänänen.

The opportunities of co-operation are also recognised at the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University.

– We already have several joint projects with SPCPA, and this project will further strengthen our co-operation in the future, said Rector Väänänen

– We are happy that our co-operation is deepening, and that we can systematically further develop it from researcher exchange to business co-operation. It is important that the operators get to know each other thoroughly, so that their expertise can be benefited from mutually, highlighted Vice Rector responsible for research Niklas Sandler from Åbo Akademi University.

– The new Center will take our long-term co-operation to a new level, noted Scientific Director Jyrki Heino from Turku BioCity.

– We see this Center as a good opportunity for the co-operation and development of Russian and Finnish small and medium-sized companies in the markets of both countries, said Senior Advisor Teppo Laaksonen from Turku Science Park.

Text: Tilda Junko
Photos: Alekseeva Valeria, Pervushina Ekaterina and Naymushina Valeria
Translation: Jenni Maja