Activities of the Finnish Cancer Institute in 2025
Supporting scientific research
In 2025, a total of nine researchers worked at the Finnish Cancer Institute (FCI): three research professors, three cancer research fellows, and three cancer researchers. The researchers’ work was active and progressed according to the submitted research plans. In 2025, the researchers published a total of 47 (2024: 46) peer reviewed scientific articles and gained visibility at international conferences and symposia.
In 2025, three calls were organized: the call for the K. Albin Johansson Research Professor position was open in February, and the calls for Cancer Researcher and K. Albin Johansson Cancer Research Fellow positions were open in September and October, respectively. A total of 14 applicants applied for the Research Professor position, the majority (70%) from the University of Helsinki. The most common research focus was hematological malignancies, such as leukemia (29%).
The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) evaluated the applicants according to the criteria published in the call and selected three candidates to proceed to external evaluation by international experts. Following these evaluations, the Board appointed Guillaume Jacquemet from Åbo Akademi to the position, in accordance with the SAB’s proposal. Jacquemet will begin his appointment on 1 January 2026.
A total of 32 applicants applied for the three Cancer Researcher positions, approximately half (56%) from the University of Helsinki. The most common research focus was brain tumors (19%). The SAB evaluated the applicants according to the published criteria, and based on the SAB’s proposal, the Board appointed Huayi Lin (University of Turku) to the K. Albin Johansson Cancer Researcher position and Matías Marín Falcon and Ming Wu, both from the University of Helsinki, to the Roosa Nauha Cancer Researcher positions. These researchers will begin their appointments on 1 January 2026.
A total of 26 applicants applied for the three K. Albin Johansson Cancer Research Fellow positions, of whom 65% were from the University of Helsinki. Breast cancer was the most common research focus (15%). After evaluation by the SAB, the Board appointed Alfonso Urbanucci and Mikael Marttinen from Tampere University as new appointees, and Outi Kilpivaara (University of Helsinki) was appointed for a second term. These appointments will begin on 1 April 2026.
In all three calls, members of the SAB assessed potential conflicts of interest on a case by case basis in accordance with the Academy of Finland’s conflict of interest guidelines. Because several SAB members had conflicts of interest with respect to the applicants, a relative voting weight system was applied (number of votes received divided by the number of voting eligible SAB members).
Finnish Cancer Institute Symposium
No FCI symposium was organized in 2025; however, the FCI participated in organizing the iCAN symposium held in September. In 2026, an FCI symposium will be held in Tampere (1–2 October 2026) in collaboration with Tampere University, the Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County, the National Cancer Center (FICAN), and the iCAN research project. The Scientific Organizing Committee is chaired by Professor (MD, PhD) Toni Seppälä (Tampere University and Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County), with Project Manager Sauli Vuoti (FICAN) serving as Vice Chair. Preparations for the symposium began in summer 2025.
Finland as a Model Country for Individual Cancer Care initiative
The advocacy project Finland as a Model Country for Individual Cancer Care was carried out in active cooperation with the Finnish Cancer Patients Association and 11 pharmaceutical companies (AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Takeda).
The project aims to strengthen and promote Finland’s position as a forerunner in personalized cancer care and as an attractive research environment. The key activities in 2025 included communicating the results of a survey study, participating in the development of the national cancer strategy, meetings with decision makers, a panel discussion at SuomiAreena, and outreach to regional councillors on challenges and solutions in cancer care. In addition, the project submitted a statement on the draft national objectives for wellbeing services counties for 2025–2029.
In January 2025, the project received the results of a survey conducted in collaboration with Success Clinic. The survey explored the views of physicians treating cancer patients, healthcare decision makers, and the general public on the treatment of cancer patients aged over 65 and on cancer care more broadly. The results were compiled into a report and a website article and were also discussed in Aamulehti and Savon Sanomat.
In February 2025, the project submitted its statement on the draft objectives for wellbeing services counties for 2025–2029. The core message emphasized the need to address cancer specific issues and ensure that early detection of cancer, rapid access to treatment, and high quality cancer care are firmly embedded in healthcare monitoring and development. The importance of clinical research within wellbeing services counties and the adoption of new treatment modalities were highlighted from the perspectives of patients, professionals, and cost effectiveness. The full statement is available on the project website.
During the year, Tiina Vesterinen and Jenni Tamminen Sirkiä met with Members of Parliament, special advisers, and healthcare experts responsible for social and healthcare policy from several parties (National Coalition Party, Finns Party, Social Democratic Party of Finland). Discussions focused on the national cancer strategy, its implementation, the role of wellbeing services counties, and the importance of clinical medical research.
In June, newly elected regional executive board members were contacted by email with a one page briefing outlining and justifying five key priority areas for the next four years and emphasizing the role of wellbeing services counties in implementing the cancer strategy. The priority areas were equality among cancer patients; cancer prevention and screening; early detection of cancer; cancer research and innovation; and a competent and well being workforce.
Also in June, a panel discussion titled “Finland Facing a Cancer Tsunami: How to Combine Growing Care Needs with Limited Healthcare Resources?” was held at SuomiAreena. The Eetunaukio audience area was full. The discussion was moderated by Ilpo Tolonen and featured Johanna Mattson (Chief Medical Officer, HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center), Tomi Mäkelä (Director, FICAN), Member of Parliament Sari Sarkomaa (National Coalition Party), Nadia Tamminen (Pharmaceutical Industry Finland), Jenni Tamminen Sirkiä (Finnish Cancer Patients Association), and Juha Pekka Turunen (Secretary General, Cancer Society of Finland). The discussion is available on MTV Katsomo, and a short report has been published on the project website.
In 2025, significant effort was devoted to work on the national cancer strategy. Jenni Tamminen Sirkiä served as Chair of the Patient Involvement working group, and Tiina Vesterinen served as expert secretary in the Research and Data and New Methods working groups. Several project participants were members of the national expert network and provided key feedback on proposed objectives and measures. A long standing project goal was achieved on 10 November 2025 with the publication of Finland’s first national cancer strategy. In 2026, work will continue on the implementation plan.
Administration, accounting, and auditing
The FCI’s governing bodies are the Board of Trustees and the Scientific Advisory Board. In 2025, the Board had eight members (Chair: Tomi Mäkelä) and the Scientific Advisory Board had 15 members (Chair: Päivi Ojala). The Board met six times and the Scientific Advisory Board four times during the year. Tiina Vesterinen served as the Managing Director. Accounting and payment services were provided by Aallon Group Oyj, and auditing was carried out by DHS Oy Audit Partners.
Finance and fundraising
The FCI received a grant from the Cancer Foundation Finland (€330,000) and a donation from the K. Albin Johansson Foundation (€395,000). The Cancer Foundation Finland funded four researcher positions in addition to other activities of the FCI, while the K. Albin Johansson Foundation’s donation covered salary costs for its named researchers.
Funds were allocated to the salary costs of the researchers. The FCI has a part time (50%) Managing Director and does not maintain offices, laboratories, or buildings. The Board and Scientific Advisory Board work on a voluntary basis, with only travel expenses reimbursed in accordance with state travel regulations.
Companies involved in the Model Country project provided a total of €86,000 in support. During 2025, testamentary funds received in 2024 were invested in interest bearing products to safeguard long term financial stability. The Cancer Institute did not engage in commercial activities or other fundraising.
Cooperation between foundations
The FCI has systematically strengthened cooperation with the Cancer Foundation Finland and the K. Albin Johansson Foundation. Long term cooperation agreements have been signed with both foundations, and both are represented on the FCI’sScientific Advisory Board. The FCI also participates in a network of Finnish medical research foundations, which meets approximately twice a year to discuss current issues and share updates.
Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN)
In 2025, the FCI continued its cooperation with the National Cancer Center (FICAN) in two ways: close participation in developing the national cancer strategy and membership in the FICAN Science group.
In the cancer strategy process, the Managing Director of the FCI served on the secretariat with responsibility for Sub Objective 4, addressing the development of Finnish cancer research and the implementation of new treatment methods in a rapidly changing environment. Several members of the Board and Scientific Advisory Board also played key roles as steering group members or experts. The national cancer strategy was published in November 2025, and work will continue in 2026 with the preparation of a more detailed implementation plan, in which the Managing Director will continue to participate as a member of the secretariat. The FCI is committed to contributing to the strategy’s implementation in the coming years.
The task of the FICAN Science group is to promote and coordinate cancer research in Finland, maintain scientific dialogue, organize national seminar series and other scientific events, and support the preparation and implementation of international projects. The Managing Director of the FCI has been invited to this group.
iCANDOC Precision Cancer Medicine (PCM) pilot
The Ministry of Education and Culture allocated a total of €255 million to universities for piloting new doctoral training practices in 2024–2027. The additional funding supports 1,000 doctoral researchers hired on three year fixed term contracts. The largest single funded entity (€38.8 million) was the iCANDOC Precision Cancer Medicine (PCM) program coordinated by the University of Helsinki. The FCI participates as a partner, focusing on career placement of doctoral graduates in cancer research and potential internship opportunities during doctoral studies.
Activities for the current year 2026
The FCI is an independent organization with comprehensive medical, societal, and nationwide expertise. Maintaining researcher positions remains its core activity. The number of positions in the future depends largely on funding from the Cancer Foundation Finland and the K. Albin Johansson Foundation, and new partners are being sought.
Another key activity is coordinating the Model Country project, whose visibility and impact have grown significantly. In 2026, focus areas include influencing funding and implementation of the national cancer strategy and preparing for the 2027 parliamentary elections.
The FCI has organized 16 international level symposia to date, with the 17th to be held in Tampere in 2026. Annual symposia are important for the development of Finnish cancer research and could potentially become part of FICAN or future initiatives such as Cancer Mission Finland or Cancer Research Hub Finland. Open discussion on the best organizational model will continue, and the FCI remains willing to participate in organizing the events in the future.
A great deal is currently happening in the Finnish cancer field. In autumn 2025, in addition to the national cancer strategy, a memorandum on a national operating model for clinical medical research was published, as well as a report on aligning drug assessment processes and criteria. Furthermore, in February 2026, a proposal for Finland’s national health data space was published, taking into account the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence. At the same time, research legislation is being clarified and RDI (research, development and innovation) funding is being increased. Foundations are also expanding their support for cancer research. The research environment is therefore being strengthened, and health data driven solutions are becoming a cornerstone of the system. During 2027–2028, nearly 150 doctoral graduates in cancer medicine will also complete their degrees through the iCANDOC doctoral training pilot. As a result, the number of experts in cancer medicine will increase significantly in the coming years, and career pathways in Finland must be ensured for this growing talent pool.
The FCI closely monitors the development of the National Cancer Center (FICAN). At present, one of FICAN’s key tasks, mandated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, is to prepare the implementation plan, or roadmap, for the national cancer strategy. The roadmap includes measures for which the FCI can assume partial responsibility for implementation. The FCI views the implementation of the cancer strategy as an investment that strengthens the sustainability of the healthcare system and increases research and innovation activity, including proposals to establish Cancer Mission Finland and the Cancer Research Hub Finland. It is clear that public funding and other resources allocated to implementing the cancer strategy will determine the development of cancer research in the coming years.
The FCI was founded in 1986 to counter the “brain drain” that increased in the early 1980s. Since then, the perspective has expanded to include “brain gain,” as the FCI has employed talented cancer researchers born abroad who have moved to Finland. Third sector support for cancer researchers remains highly relevant, as universities appear to have limited salaried researcher positions despite increased availability of research funding. Consequently, the role and need for the FCI remain significant.
The FCI seeks to support cancer researchers working in Finland and to help ensure that Finland offers attractive research environments, including clear career prospects for cancer researchers. According to the researchers who have worked with us, we have so far succeeded in this mission: in their interim or final reports for 2025, they stated that the researcher positions enabled, among other things, full concentration on research work, career development, strengthened employability, and the retention of research activities in Finland. The FCI also received praise for providing long term stability and intellectual freedom, which were essential for conducting ambitious, multidisciplinary research and laid the groundwork for subsequent significant achievements. The positions also enabled the training of the next generation of cancer researchers in an international research environment.
The official annual report with financial statements (in Finnish) can be received on request by e-mail.