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9.12.2025 | For the first time, biotechnology is among the proposed themes of IPCEIs. The EU Member States want to promote biotechnology projects by including biotechnology in Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs). Together with Germany and Estonia, Finland has been preparing three thematic IPCEI proposals for biotechnology since November 2024.

EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028−2034 One of the key themes defining European policies in the coming years, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the European Union for 2028–2034 will also be a key priority on Finland’s EU agenda...

15.6.2026 | EU health ministers will convene for a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) on 16 June to discuss, among others, the proposed European Biotech Act I directive and regulation and the preparedness and readiness of the European pharmaceutical industry. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman will represent Finland at the meeting.

16.7.2025 | Finland believes that the overall level of the European Commission’s proposal for the EU’s next multiannual financial framework for 2028–2034 is too high. Finland considers the proposed priorities to be steps in the right direction. The Government will formulate a more detailed position on the proposals in early autumn.

11.12.2025 | Two Finnish companies, Aboa Space Research Oy and SEATOM Technologies, have been selected to join a challenge programme of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). More than 3,600 companies, registered in NATO member states, submitted their application, and 150 companies were selected into the programme. They will join the programme in January 2026.

6.10.2025 | Preparedness and data-driven decision-making in the field of pharmaceuticals were the key topics of discussion at a conference organised by Finland in Helsinki on 30 September–1 October 2025 as part of its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

28.11.2025 | On 27 November 2025, the European Commission published a new Bioeconomy Strategy, which replaces the strategy from 2018. The strategy provides a framework for a competitive and sustainable EU bioeconomy, with the objective of reducing dependency on fossil raw materials and raising the degree of processing and value added of EU bio-based products. The core of the strategy is to boost the development of bio-based products and to accelerate their wide-spread introduction.

12.9.2025 | Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto will lead a Team Finland visit to the US on 15–18 September 2025. The visit will focus on quantum technology. Puisto will be accompanied by a business delegation representing 13 companies and organisations.

16.5.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will organise an international conference in cooperation with the Council of Europe to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) as part of healthcare. The event is for invited guests, but anyone interested in the topic can follow the event as it will be streamed online.

20.5.2025 | The Finnish Science Award 2025 has been awarded to Johanna Ivaska, Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Turku. The multidisciplinary research group led by her focuses on research into the movement and spread of cancer cells. Ivaska’s research increases understanding of both the behaviour of cancer cells and the importance of healthy tissue in cancer treatment. The research can be used to develop new treatments to prevent the spread of cancer.

27.8.2025 | Finland needs more exports, investments and ambitious R&D activities to boost our economy.

24.1.2025 | The Council of the EU adopted a regulation on 21 January 2025 that will facilitate the exchange of health data within the EU. The regulation will improve citizens’ control over their personal health data and provide healthcare professionals with access to patient data, regardless of where patients live or receive treatment.

24.5.2024 | A new international legal instrument has been adopted at the World Intelletual Property Organisation WIPO Diplomatic Conference in Geneva. The international agreementregarding a disclosure requirement related to genetic resources aims to enhance the efficacy, transparency and quality of the patent system with regard to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

26.4.2024 | On 26 April, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s priorities for exerting influence on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework and discussed the Commission communications on managing climate risks and on accelerating biotechnology and biomanufacturing. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions for two upcoming informal ministerial meetings.

16.9.2024 | The governments of Finland and Sweden met in Stockholm on Monday 16 September to accelerate and deepen cooperation between the two countries. The joint meeting adopted a declaration which covers cooperation in several key sectors of society.

26.4.2024 | According to the joint statement of the For Forest group composed of four forested countries of the European Union, a sustainable bioeconomy must be at the core of the next European Commission’s Work Programme. A total of 16 EU Member States have joined the statement of Finland, Sweden, Austria and Slovenia to be discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on Monday 29 April.

8.12.2023 | Maarit Merla has been appointed Managing Director of Finnish Drug Discovery Center Ltd. She will start in the position on 1 January 2024. Finnish Drug Discovery Center Ltd is a wholly state-owned company with special assignment, which belongs to the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and falls under its ownership steering. The company serves universities and research institutes, operators in clinical drug research and companies in the sector across Finland.

25.6.2024 | Europe is facing strong economic headwinds. With vulnerable supply chains, high energy costs, and substantial investments needed to reach net-zero, the EU has reached a point where we cannot afford to ignore our competitiveness problems.

19.9.2023 | Finland and the United States will convene in Helsinki on 19–20 September 2023 for a Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. The Committee monitors the Science and Technology Agreement (STA) previously signed by Finland and the US. The meeting will discuss R&D cooperation in a number of fields, including climate, energy, health, biotechnology, space, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security, 6G, and other emerging and disruptive technologies.

7.9.2023 | The purpose of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy by supporting the development of critical technologies and products. Another aim is to ensure the availability of necessary labour and skills in strategic sectors. While the Finnish Government supports the facility’s objective, it does not endorse a completely new EU-level financial instrument.