Welcome to the InFLAMES Corporate Corner – Sex and Immunity!

The InFLAMES Corporate Corner – Sex and Immunity will be held on 22 January 2026. The event will take place in the Cave Theater of the Visitor and Innovation Centre Joki, Lemminkäisenkatu 12 B, Turku. The event will start with lunch at 11:30, followed by the seminar program until 16:00 and culminating in a networking after-party until 18:00.

At the upcoming InFLAMES Corporate Corner, we will provide an overview of how biological sex substantially influences the immune system and immune-related diseases.

There is a persistent male bias in medical research. In the past, early clinical trials frequently excluded female participants, with initial ‘first-in-man’ studies relying exclusively on male data and inappropriately generalising the results to women. This sex-based disparity in medical research leads to real-world disadvantages for female patients.

Our Corporate Corner – Sex and Immunity event in January will highlight this perspective through research and the study of various diseases. We are also pleased to introduce the Women’s Health Hub Finland. This initiative highlights the importance of women’s health by promoting research and advancing care from prevention and diagnosis to effective treatment. Finland is home to numerous innovative companies in this field, and you will hear from companies such as Bayer, Uniogen, and Abomics.

Join us to learn more!

Register by January 15th at the latest!
Registration link: https://eve.utu.fi/e/CC2026

Confirmed speakers

CEO Minna Arve, Business Turku
Head Device Processes for Medical Device and Combination Products Manja Ahola, Bayer
CMO Jari Forsström, Abomics
Director – Ongolocy Leena Kokko, Uniogen
Vice Rector Maija Peltola, University of Turku
Professor Antti Saraste, University of Turku
Specialist Consultant in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical History Teacher Ulla Ahlmén-Laiho, Tyks and University of Turku
Senior Research Fellow Pia Rantakari, University of Turku
Professor Laura Airas, University of Turku and Tyks
Senior Research Fellow, Chief Physician Pauliina Hartiala, University of Turku and Tyks
Associate Professor Suvi Rovio, University of Turku

Programme (changes possible):

11:30-12:15   Lunch (can also be enjoyed during presentations)

12:15–13:25
Chair: Senior Research Fellow, Chief physician Pauliina Hartiala, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital (Tyks)

Opening words
Vice Rector Maija Peltola, University of Turku

Women and medical science — 4000 years of trouble and triumph
Specialist Consultant in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical history teacher Ulla Ahlmén-Laiho, Tyks and University of Turku

Women’s Health Hub Finland
CEO Minna Arve, Business Turku

Shaping health for women – Case Bayer
Head Device Processes for Medical Device and Combination Products Manja Ahola, Bayer

13:25–13:55  Coffee Break

13:55–16:00
Chair: Research Manager Jarkko Koivunen, University of Turku

Understanding sex-specific mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases
Professor Antti Saraste, University of Turku

Sex Differences in Immune Function: Hormonal Influences Across the Human Lifespan
Senior Research Fellow Pia Rantakari, University of Turku

TBA
Director – Ongolocy, Leena Kokko, Uniogen

Why are women at greater risk for autoimmune disease?
Professor Laura Airas, University of Turku and Tyks

Pharmacogenomics for women’s heath
CMO Jari Forsström, Abomics

Breast cancer–related lymphedema research: how we turn waste into wisdom
Senior Research Fellow, Chief physician Pauliina Hartiala, University of Turku and Tyks

Population-based evidence on sex-specific patterns of cognitive function and neurodegeneration
Associate Professor Suvi Rovio, University of Turku

Conclusion and final remarks
Chairs of the event Pauliina and Jarkko

16:00–18:00  Networking over drinks and food (Cave lobby area)

Organising Committee
Senior Research Fellow and InFLAMES Group Leader, Chief physician Pauliina Hartiala, University of Turku and Tyks
InFLAMES Group Leader Tapio Lönnberg, University of Turku
Professor of Practice Timo Veromaa, University of Turku
InFLAMES Research Manager Jarkko Koivunen, University of Turku
InFLAMES Project Manager Kaisa Hakkila, University of Turku

Design by Henok Karvonen, University of Turku