Neurocenter Finland Event 2026

Five Years of Progress: Building the Future of Brain Health Together

Date: 5–6 November 2026

Location: Helsinki Congress Paasitorni, Paasivuorenkatu 5 A, FIN-00530 Helsinki

Credits: Approved for KOPI specialist training, 6 ECTS credits (Sports and Exercise Medicine: 3 ECTS credits)

Registration Closed

The event is currently at full capacity, and registration has been closed.

If you would like to join the waiting list or inquire about possible cancellations, please contact us at [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding registration, we would be happy to assist you.

Program Thursday, November 5, 2026

Building Bridges: Academia, Industry and Brain Health Innovation

13:00-14:00 Registration, networking and coffee

14:00–14:15 Opening remarks and introduction to the event; Satu Palva and Eero Rissanen (Neurocenter Finland)

14:15–14:40 Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Keynote: Outi Forsström

14:40-15:05 Trailblazer talk from laboratory to company “The only way to bring an invention into practice is to set up a company” – pioneering career paths and venture creation; Samu Lehtonen (Marginum)

15:05-15:30 Mini Break and Coffee

15:30–16:00 Stakeholder discussion: Building Patient-Centered Collaboration Across Healthcare, Industry and Innovation (invited representatives from companies and organizations). Q&A. Moderating by Susanna Flaherty (IQVIA), Panelists: Tiina Paunio (HUS), Markku Aittokallio (StellarQ), Minna Korolainen (Eli Lilly), Katariina Suomu (Muistiliitto), Rosa Juuti (Patient representative)

16:00-16.45 Stakeholder perspectives:
16:00-16:10 Finnish Drug Discovery Center – Bridging scientific discoveries into innovative therapies, Maarit Merla, CEO of the Finnish Drug Discovery Centre
16:10-16:20 From Samples to Solutions: Advancing Brain Health Through Biobank Research, FINBB, Johanna Mäkelä
16:20-16:30 Fundraising for brain research: Case of Aivosäätiö / Finnish Brain Foundation, Aivosäätiö (Finnish Brain Foundation sr), Jenni Pajunen
16:30-16:40 Supporting Excellence in Brain Research: Perspectives from the Brain Research Society of Finland, Professor Katja Kanninen (UEF)

16:45–17:15 Networking and event partners’ stands

17:15–18:00 Brief history of Neurocenter Finland, toast to celebrate 5th anniversary; Professor Reetta Kälviäinen, Professor Mikael Fraunberg

18:00–21:00 Networking dinner

Program Friday, November 6, 2026

From Discovery to Clinical Impact: Advancing Brain Health Across Finland

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:00–9:05 Opening Remarks, Patient and Third Sector Perspectives in Brain Health Innnovations, Riaz Zabihian

9:05-9:40 Chair Riaz Zabihian, Industry Perspectives on Brain Health Innovations, health care and economic impact; Saara Hassinen (Healthtech Finland), Nadia Tamminen (Pharma Industry Finland), Taru Blom (Blomira Oy)

9:40-10:00 Coffee and networking

10:00–10:20 Helsinki Brain & Mind, The future of multi-locus transcranial magnetic stimulation: Observation–Control Neuroscience, Emeritus Professor Risto Ilmoniemi, Aalto University

10:20–10:50 Jyväskylä Brain & Mind: Bridging academia and Wellbeing services county through shared data infrastructure (video): Elina Sillanpää, Associate Professor, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä. Academia-Industry Collaboration in Practice: Sustainable careers in elite contact sports: Mihály Szeróvay, Professor of Practice, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä Academia-Industry Collaboration in Practice: Psychophysiological recordings and AI for future mental health research and innovation: Tiina Parviainen, Professor, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Jyväskylä

10:50-11:30 Stakeholder perspectives
10:50-11:00 Drug Discovery in Neuronal Degeneration, BioArctic, Susanne Fabre, Senior Director, Translational Biomarkers & Bioanalysis
11:00-11:20 From Research to Real-World Impact: The Neuro Event Labs Journey, Key Milestones, Challenges and Lessons for the Future of Brain Health Innovation, Neuro Event Labs, Professor Jukka Peltola (Tampere Brain&Mind)
11:20-11:30 Cognuse, Andres Mellik

11:30–12:30 Lunch, exhibition, and networking

12:30-12:50 Turku Brain & Mind, From the PET Centre to the Memory Clinic and back: Building Better Brain Health Through Collaboration; Laura Ekblad, Adjunct Professor, MD, PhD, University of Turku

12:50–13:20 Tampere Brain & Mind, From Experimental Models to Translational Insight: The Importance of Integrating Data Across Modalities; Adj. Prof Emre Kapucu
Building translation from wet lab inventions; Adj. Prof Susanna Narkilahti

13:20-13:30 Mini break

13:30-13:40 Take care of your brain, Anna-Helena Saariaho, Helsinki Brain&Mind

13:40–14:00 Oulu Brain & Mind, Clinical and translational research on early-onset neurological diseases identifies shared molecular mechanisms between rare and common diseases: a journey towards new treatments. Johanna Uusimaa, Professor of Pediatric Neurology, Chief Physician, University of Oulu, Oulu University Hospital/POHDE Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia

14:00–14:30 Kuopio Brain & Mind, From Neurosamples to Clinical Impact – Co-developing a Human-Informed Translational Pipeline; Professor Ville Leinonen, University of Eastern Finland / Wellbeing Services County of North Savo; Professor Mikko Hiltunen, University of Eastern Finland / Wellbeing Services County of North Savo; Professor Tarja Malm, University of Eastern Finland

14:30–15:00 TBD and Closing remarks

Why attend?

Join us to:

Celebrate Neurocenter Finland’s five-year journey and achievements.
Discover the latest developments in brain health research and innovation.
Network with researchers, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and policymakers.
Explore new opportunities for collaboration and future partnerships.

This event is organized in collaboration with Neurocenter Finland, Brain & Mind networks and different stakeholders.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.
If you have any questions please contact [email protected]

Program content, speakers, and schedule are subject to change without prior notice.