Finland as a commendable regional development policy whereby it fosters development in Helsinki Region (Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa) and other major cities Turku, Tampere, Kuopio and Oulu. The Helsinkimetropolitan area is clearly the dominant region in terms of research, education, economy and population. As the capital, Helsinki is the political and administrative centre for the whole country. More than 40% of the research & development of the Finnish companies is located in the Helsinki Region.

Helsinki Region, comprising the capital of Finland and its neighbourhood, has  “strong innovation for biotechnology, based on its academic quality, vision of leadership and critical mass; the integration of basic and clinical/ translational research; an exciting training environment; strength in classical biotechnology; and access to adequate human resources” – Biotechnology in Finland, Publications of the Academy of Finland 11/02

For further information
Centre of Expertise for Gene Technology and Molecular Biology, HBSP
Tekes, Biotechnology programmes
Pre-eminent Drug Discovery & Development Resources in Academic Medicine (pdf, 60 pages)