Finland provides unique benefits for researchers and companies

Finland has a lot to offer for biobank research

Finns share a unique genetic heritage due to geographic isolation which allows faster and more effective analysis of genomic data compared to populations of more heterogeneous origins.

World-class genomic data

Finnish biobanks have joined together in a large nationwide FinnGen research project which will generate a vast amount of genome data from up to 500,000 (every tenth Finnish resident) biobank samples by 2023. All sample-related genome data generated in the project can be further used in subsequent biobank projects.

Discover the research possibilities that Finland's unique gene variants and population-wide registers can offer

Well-functioning healthcare system

The entire population is covered with longitudinal electronic health records and a personal identification code. The unique identification codes enable linking of the biobank samples to deep phenotypic data, such as medical records, as well as genomic data and the national registries.

Read more about the Finnish ID codes and how they can accelerate your research

Up-to-date legislation

The research-promoting Biobank Act (2013) secures the rights of the donor and authorizes the collection of samples and biodata with the donor’s consent to be saved in biobanks and used for future research purposes. The Act on the Secondary Use of Health and Social Data (2019) facilitates effective and safe processing and access to social and health services data.

Read more about Finland's globally unique legislation and how it can accelerate secondary use of health data in biomedical research

Possibility for recontacting sample donors

Sample donors who have given prior consent to be contacted can be invited for further studies. This provides an opportunity for survey studies and targeted patient recruitment for clinical trials.

National commitment

Significant public funds have been invested in health research in Finland. The Finnish government has published the Health Sector Growth Strategy for Research and Innovation, and the biobank ecosystem is at the core of the Strategy.

Research-engaged people

Finns trust researchers and the Finnish healthcare system. Therefore, they are willing to participate in public screening programs and to donate their samples to biobanks.

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6. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (2022). https://stm.fi/en/personalized-medicine

7. Finlex (2012). https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2012/20120688.

8. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (2019). Act on the secondary use of health and social data. https://stm.fi/en/secondary-use-of-health-and-social-data.

9. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (2022). https://stm.fi/en/genome-center.