Clinical Research Institute HUCH

Clinical medical research in Finland is of a very high standard. It has consistently been ranked best in the world when assessed in terms of the number of citations of articles from different countries. The Meilahti hospitals of the regional hospital HUS and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Helsinki together form an entity that is by far the most extensive community in our country conducting research in clinical medicine and is also significant internationally.

HUS consists of 23 hospitals in the Helsinki and Uusimaa region. Most of the hospitals are units of the Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH). Around 1.7 million people live in the region covered by HUS.

HUS is one of Europe’s leading and largest hospitals. It delivers world-class clinical outcomes thanks to its proactive medical research and the rapid adoption of research results in medical care, and its highly specialized, experienced professionals. The large scale of its operations helps HUS to accumulate valuable medical knowhow. Every year, the hospital treats more than half a million patients, carries out approximately 100,000 surgical procedures, and delivers nearly 20,000 babies.

The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Helsinki is ranked fifth among European faculties of medicine when assessed in terms of citations of clinical medicine articles. The faculty has trained many influential Finnish professionals who work both in Finland and abroad.

Research benefits patient care in two ways: directly with its research innovations and through the expertise created by research work. Those involved in high-level research projects also have in-depth practical knowledge of the diseases they study.

Our mission at Clinical Research Institute HUCH is to provide an effective, high-quality setting for clinical research and testing. Our special expertise is the production and development of management services for clinical drug and medical device trials.

Clinical trials involve many obligatory administrative tasks, such as drafting research agreements, research budgeting and financial and personnel administration. Patient studies and tests require not only excellent patient care, but also compliance with official regulations and administrative procedures to ensure good research practices.

In addition to research by companies, mainly internationally operating pharmaceutical enterprises, and commissioned studies, the institute assists with researcher-initiated studies in which the investigator is the commissioning party. These studies are often international, and in such cases, the institute takes on the responsibility for the entire research budget and for personnel administration in Finland.

The Institute administers grants for research involving HUS patients, facilities and/or resources. The researcher decides on the use of the grant within the terms and conditions specified in the grant decision.

Our mission at Clinical Research Institute HUCH is to provide an effective, high-quality setting for clinical research and testing.

HYKS-instituutti Oy is wholly owned by the HUS Group.

The company’s Board of Directors consists of: Seppo Heinonen, Director, (Chairman); Antti Lauerma, Director; Anne Portaankorva, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki; Teppo Heikkilä, Project Director, and Pirkko Lepola, Development Manager.

The company’s CEO is Juha Aarvala. The institute’s Executive Group consists of Juha Aarvala, CEO; Charlotta Henriksson, Head of Research Services; and Minna Aromäki, Financial Manager.

The majority of the company’s revenue comes from commission agreements signed with international pharmaceutical companies. In 2023, the company’s turnover and other revenues amounted to approximately EUR 8,2 million. In addition to private companies in the pharmaceutical and healthcare technology sectors, our major customer groups include high-level research units at HUS.