BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:Europe/Helsinki X-WR-TIMEZONE:Europe/Helsinki BEGIN:VEVENT UID:469@inflames.utu.fi DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20260527T113000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20260527T180000 DTSTAMP:20260414T051635Z URL:https://inflames.utu.fi/events/inflames-corporate-corner-goes-shift/ SUMMARY:InFLAMES Corporate Corner goes SHIFT - Immunology bioclusters drivi ng economic growth DESCRIPTION:InFLAMES Corporate Corner goes SHIFT – Immunology bioclusters driving economic growth!\nThe InFLAMES Corporate Corner will be organised for the 11th time on May 27 this year. This is the second time the event is being organised in collaboration with the SHIFT Business Festival. InFL AMES Corporate Corner goes SHIFT – Immunology bioclusters driving econom ic growth is an official SHIFT side event held the day before the main fes tival.\n\nAt the upcoming InFLAMES Corporate Corner\, we will explore how immunology drives economic growth in Finland\, France\, Spain\, and throug hout Europe.\n\nA normally functioning immune system is vital for our heal th\, and immune dysfunction is linked to many diseases. Understanding how the immune system works is crucial for developing new medicines\, new diag nostic tools\, and novel health technology innovations.\n\nResearch carrie d out at universities forms the basis for new discoveries. Most successful growth companies have strong ties to academia and the basic and applied r esearch conducted there. Join us and learn from our national and internati onal speakers about how immunology research drives growth and economic suc cess.\n\nThe InFLAMES Corporate Corner – Immunology bioclusters driving economic growth will take place on 27 May 2026 in the Cave Theater of the Visitor and Innovation Centre Joki\, Lemminkäisenkatu 12 B\, Turku. The e vent will start with lunch at 11:30\, followed by the seminar programme un til 16:00\, culminating in a networking after-party until 18:00.\n\nThe ev ent is designed to foster inspiring dialogue and collaboration between aca demia and industry. The InFLAMES Corporate Corner offers a welcoming\, low -threshold space where researchers and business professionals can meet\, s hare insights\, and learn from one another.\n\nSpeakers:\nChief Economist Mauri Kotamäki\, Finnvera\nVice-President of the A*Midex Foundation\, Dir ector Denis Bertin\, Marseille Immunology Biocluster\,\nFrance\nDirector of Innovation Lidia Aguilera\, CaixaResearch Institute\, Spain\nPD Dr. Epa meinondas Gousopoulos MD PhD\, Plastic &\; Reconstructive &\; Aesthe tic Surgeon &\; Co\n-Founder IRÄYE AG\, Switzerland\nPartner Pekka Sim ula\, Innovestor\nDirector of BioCity Turku\, Professor Klaus Elenius\, Un iversity of Turku\nProfessor of Practice Timo Veromaa\, University of Turk u\n\nRegister by May 20!\nRegistration link: https://eve.utu.fi/e/cc2\n(Pl ease note that the event has a limited number of places. If you register a nd later realise that you cannot attend\,\nplease cancel your registration as soon as possible using the confirmation email you received after regis tering.)\nProgramme (changes possible):\n11:30-12:15   Lunch\n\n12:15– 13:10\nHost: Professor of Practice Juha Laine\, University of Turku and R oche\n\nOpening words\nBioCity Turku Director\, Professor Klaus Elenius\, University of Turku\n\nSocietal and economic impact of Nobel Prize -winnin g discoveries in immunology\nProfessor of Practice Timo Veromaa\, Universi ty of Turku\n\nEconomists are predicting a growth leap for Finland - How c ould it happen?\nChief Economist Mauri Kotamäki\, Finnvera\n\n13:10–13: 30   Coffee Break\n\n13:30–15:00\nHost: Academician Sirpa Jalkanen\, U niversity of Turku\n\nMarseille Immunology Biocluster: from a territorial project to a European ambition\nVice-President of the A*Midex Foundation\, Director of MIB Denis Bertin\, Marseille Immunology\nBiocluster\, France\ n\nShaping the future of immunology: The role of the CaixaResearch Institu te\nDirector of Innovation Lidia Aguilera\, CaixaResearch Institute\, Spai n\n\nHarnessing Lymphatic Science for Skincare Innovation\nPD Dr. Epameino ndas Gousopoulos MD PhD\, Plastic &\; Reconstructive &\; Aesthetic S urgeon &\;\nCo-Founder IRÄYE AG\, Switzerland\n\n15:00–15:15   Bre ak\n\n15:15-16:00\n\nFour years of investing in Finnish life science start ups - what next?\nPartner Pekka Simula\, Innovestor\n\nFrom research to in novation: An experience-based perspective of different funding opportuniti es\nBioCity Turku Director\, Professor Klaus Elenius\, University of Turku \n\nConclusion and final remarks\n\n16:00–18:00  Networking over drinks and food (Café Wisio)\n\n \;\n\n\n\nSpeakers\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\nDeni s Bertin\nVice-President of the A*Midex Foundation\, Director of MIB\nMars eille Immunology Biocluster\, France\nAfter completing a PhD in polymer sc iences in 1997 at the University of Montpellier\, Denis Bertin joined the petrochemical company TOTAL as a research and development engineer in Mate rials Sciences where he stayed until 2000. He then joined Aix-Marseille Un iversity to develop a mixed academic/industrial research group on material sciences at the Faculty of Science of AMU. He became a university profess or in 2002. He has worked on nanostructured organic materials with various applications (health\, environment\, energy\, sport\, etc.). After 14 yea rs at the Faculty of Science\, after retraining in sports sciences\, he jo ined the Faculty of Sports Science (2014) and the Institute of Movement Sc ience. In 2023\, a new research unit\, Hipe Human Lab\, was established un der the leadership of D. Bertin to expand projects focusing on research in volving human body. On the political aspects\, D. Bertin was vice presiden t for research from 2006 to 2015. In 2016\, he became Vice President in ch arge of the Amidex fondation. He is also President of the Imera Institute for Advanced Studies from 2018.\nThe Marseille Immunology Biocluster (MIB) project is firmly rooted in the dynamic South region and metropolitan are a. It is now one of the most promising initiatives in the field of immunol ogy in France. The result of close collaboration between academia\, indust ry and public authorities\, the MIB is part of a strategic vision that has already elevated research and innovation to an international level. This collaboration between universities\, public research institutions\, biotec h firms\, industry\, local authorities and public bodies – supported by Aix-Marseille University and its partners – means that the MIB benefits from a rich and diverse academic environment of excellence\, fostering syn ergy between fundamental research and practical applications on an industr ial scale.\nThis alliance between academic knowledge and entrepreneurial d ynamism lies at the heart of the MIB's philosophy and positions it as a on e-stop shop in the field of immunology\, offering an integrated platform f or research\, innovation and commercial development.\nThe creation of the MIB marks a crucial step in strengthening immunological research in France \, by concentrating expertise\, innovation\, resources and collaboration i n Marseille\, positioning the city and France as one of the centers of exc ellence in the patient-centered fight against infectious\, autoimmune\, on cological and inflammatory diseases.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Lídia Aguilera Ma rtínez\nDirector of Innovation\nCaixaResearch Institute\, Spain\nDr. Líd ia Aguilera Martínez is Director of Innovation at the newly established C aixaResearch Institute\, where she leads strategy and activities related t o knowledge transfer\, competitive funding\, entrepreneurship\, partnershi ps\, and the societal impact of research. With extensive international exp erience in innovation management and knowledge transfer\, she and her team work closely with researchers to translate scientific discoveries into re al‑world solutions that benefit health systems and society.\nThe CaixaRe search Institute is a newly established research centre and the first in S pain dedicated exclusively to immunology. Its mission is to understand how the immune system functions and how it contributes to major diseases such as cancer\, neurological disorders\, and infections\, while also consider ing the impact of environmental factors. Research is structured around thr ee core scientific axes—exposomic sciences\, immunology and disease\, an d systems immunology and engineering—supported by transversal programmes that promote interdisciplinarity\, technological innovation\, and agile r esponses to emerging health challenges. In parallel\, the Institute is dev eloping an Innovation Hub that works closely with six other research centr es to accelerate knowledge transfer\, foster collaboration\, and ensure th at scientific advances translate into tangible benefits for society.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nPD Dr. Epameinondas Gousopoulos MD PhD\nPlastic &\; Reconstru ctive &\; Aesthetic Surgeon &\; Co-Founder IRÄYE AG\nSwitzerland\nP D Dr. Epameinondas Gousopoulos is a physician-scientist and EBOPRAS-certif ied plastic and reconstructive surgeon based at the University Hospital Zu rich\, where he combines clinical practice with translational research in lymphatic and adipose tissue biology. His work focuses on the role of the lymphatic vascular system in human health and disease\, particularly in co nditions such as lymphedema\, lipedema\, tissue regeneration\, and skin ag eing.\nDr. Gousopoulos conducted his medical studies in Greece\, followed by a Master`s degree at the University of Zurich and his doctoral research (PhD) at ETH Zurich on lymphatic vascular biology and inflammation\, cont ributing to pioneering work demonstrating how immune responses influence l ymphatic dysfunction and chronic tissue swelling. His research integrates microsurgery\, vascular biology\, and translational medicine with the aim of developing novel therapies targeting lymphatic function.\nBeyond academ ia\, he actively bridges biomedical research and innovation. He is co-foun der of the ETH spin-off IRÄYE\, which develops science-driven skincare te chnologies designed to activate the lymphatic system and support metabolic waste clearance in the skin. Dr. Gousopoulos has authored numerous scient ific publications and collaborates internationally across clinical\, acade mic\, and industry networks. His work highlights the emerging importance o f the lymphatic system not only in disease treatment but also in longevity \, regenerative medicine\, and next-generation skincare technologies.\n\n\ n\n\n\n\n\nMauri Kotamäki\nChief Economist\nFinnvera\, Finland\nDr. Mauri Kotamäki is the chief economist of Finnvera. Finnvera is a specialised f inancing company owned by the State of Finland and it is the official Expo rt Credit Agency (ECA) of Finland. Mauri's previous work history includes\ , for example\, Ministry of Finance and Bank of Finland. Currently he's po ndering matters of economic growth\, investments and exporting within the Finnish corporate financing framework.\nMotto: All models are wrong\, but some are useful.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPekka Simula\nEntrepreneur &\; Mentor\, Health &\; Life Sciences\nPekka Simula has spent over 25 years with in novative startups in health and life sciences\, including digitalization o f data capture in clinical trials\, cancer radiotherapy\, and as founder a nd CEO in oncology and CNS drug development companies. Pekka has actively supported health &\; life science teams as mentor and board member and IPO'd two companies. He loves working with passionate founders who want to change the world for the better.\n \;\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTimo Veromaa\nMD PhD\, Professor of Practice in Drug Development\nUniversity of Turku\, Fi nland\nTimo Veromaa is an accomplished MD PhD biopharma executive with 30 years of industry experience across both large and small cap companies in the US and Europe. He is Professor of Practice in Drug Development (part-t ime) at his alma mater\, the University of Turku\, Finland.\nHis passion l ies in developing new medicines and fostering innovation through industry –academia partnerships. He is dedicated to helping scientists build and develop business skills\, and he is particularly excited about the signifi cant opportunities for groundbreaking medical innovation by combining heal th registry\, biobank\, and genome data. As the first chairman of Finnish Biobanks FINBB\, he was instrumental in supporting the development of the FINGENIOUS portal as a one-stop access point to nationwide biobank data an d electronic health records.\nCurrently\, Timo Veromaa serves as the Chair man of Herantis Pharma Plc\, a public\, innovative drug development compan y focusing on Parkinson's disease. He is also the Chairman of Tenboron Ltd \, a private clinical-stage company developing novel boron carriers for Bo ron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Additionally\, he is a board member of Abomics Ltd\, a private company offering pharmacogenomic services to heal thcare organizations. Previously\, he served as the Chairman of Finnish Bi oindustries\, an industry association\, for nine years. He also held the p osition of Executive Chairman at Domainex Ltd\, a fast-growing private dru g discovery service company in Cambridge\, UK\, for two years.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nProfessor Klaus Elenius\nProfessor of Medical Biochemistry &\; Scie ntific Director of BioCity Turku\nUniversity of Turku\, Finland\nProfessor Klaus Elenius earned both an MD and a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Turku. He completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Me dical School and\, since 1998\, has led a research laboratory at the Unive rsity of Turku. He is currently Professor of Medical Biochemistry at the U niversity of Turku and serves as Scientific Director of BioCity Turku.\nTh e research of Elenius lab has focused on the role of growth factor signali ng in cancer for over 30 years. This has included identification of novel signaling molecules and development of new predictive and therapeutic tool s for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. The translational research has been complemented by participation in clinical trials.\nProf . Elenius has experience in application of technology solutions for medica l practice as a co-founder of Abomics Ltd. He has also frequently served a s a consultant for and has had research agreements with major pharmaceutic al companies developing targeted cancer therapies. He served as a Board Me mber of Research Council of Finland\, Cancer Foundation Finland\, Finnish Medical Foundation\, and Biocenter Finland. Prof. Elenius is currently a D istinguished Innovator of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative.\n\n\n\n& nbsp\;\n\nOrganising Committee\nInFLAMES Impact Director\, Academician Sir pa Jalkanen\,\nUniversity of Turku\nProfessor of Practice Juha Laine\, Uni versity of Turku and Roche\nProfessor of Practice Timo Veromaa\, Universit y of Turku\nProfessor of Practice Timo Lappalainen\, University of Turku\n InFLAMES Research Manager Jarkko Koivunen\, University of Turku\nInFLAMES Project Manager Kaisa Hakkila\, University of Turku\nInFLAMES Research Man ager Joe Hettinger\, University of Turku\nInFLAMES Communication Specialis t Liisa Koivula\, University of Turku\n\nDesign by Henok Karvonen\, Univer sity of Turku\n\n\n\nThe SHIFT Business Festival\nThe SHIFT Business Festi val follows on May 28 at Turku Science Park\, featuring keynotes\, worksho ps\, and networking\nopportunities to inspire creativity and growth. This year SHIFT focuses on "success" through leadership\, community\, and\ninte rnational connections.\nRead more: SHIFT Business Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://inflames.utu.fi/wp-content/uploads/ICC-0 52025-Thumb@300x.png CATEGORIES:Corporate Corner,Events in English,Tapahtumat LOCATION:Cave Theatre\, Visitor and Innovation Centre Joki\, Lemminkäisenk atu 12 B\, Turku\, Finland X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Lemminkäisenkatu 12 B\, Tu rku\, Finland;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Cave Theatre\, Visitor and Innova tion Centre Joki:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Helsinki X-LIC-LOCATION:Europe/Helsinki BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260329T040000 TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:EEST END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR