Taru Blom

I am a physician (MD, PhD), graduated from Turku University in 1992, and a pharmaceutical industry expert with over 30 years of experience in research and development. My work spans pharmaceutical, biotechnology, contract research, and medical technology companies from small to big pharma, giving me a broad perspective on drug development and healthcare innovation. My latest employment was with Orion Pharma where I had the opportunity to learn the whole R&D cycle in several therapy areas and roles - from research and translational phase to marketing authorisations and beyond. As founder of my consulting company, Blomira Oy, I now support organisations in medical strategy, clinical development, and evidence-based decision-making. My work focuses on connecting scientific knowledge, clinical needs, and business perspectives to advance the development of new therapies. As a part-time Professor of Practice at the InFLAMES Research Flagship, I aim to strengthen collaboration and mutual understanding between academia and industry and facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications. I am also keen to share my experiences to help students prepare for working life by developing their understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, and the skills needed to succeed in a multidisciplinary, collaborative, and highly regulated environment. My passion is to help Finland punch above its weight internationally. I believe that building bridges between Finnish universities and the pharmaceutical industry is essential to achieve this. Closer collaboration across disciplines and sectors can unlock the potential of biomedical research, accelerate innovation, and ensure that scientific advances ultimately translate into meaningful improvements in patients’ lives.