6th Nordic RWE and AI conference: How will broad use of RWD and AI improve Drug development and result in value based decision making and healthcare where the Patient needs are in focus?

The University of Helsinki and Åbo Akademi University organize the 6^th Nordic RWE and AI conference in Helsinki 27.-28.1.2026.

----

Venue: University of Helsinki, The Main Auditorium and Agora Hall

Date & time: Tuesday 27 January from 12.00 to 17.45, Wednesday 28 January from 9.00 to 15.30 (EET)

----

The Nordic Real World Data conferences have been organized since 2016. The goal has been to increase the attractiveness of the Nordic Region and EU for conducting research and increasing investments in the Region. The Networking between the Stakeholder and Country representatives from the Nordic and other European countries as well as US is also playing a vital role, and therefore the conference is designed to be a two day on site conference.

The conference is free of charge (no-show fee and registration needed) to all stakeholders thanks to our Sponsors. The conference will be in the Auditorium Main building of the University of Helsinki, for max 490 participants. We expect to attract at least 300 participants.

The aim is to keep the scope broad from discovery to use of data in regulatory decision making, HTA, use of data to allocate resources, value based healthcare including the voice of the patients etc.

The Program:

Day 1:

6th Nordic RWE and AI conference 2026 Using the excellent RWD assets in the Nordic Region to improve Drug development, Value-based Decision Making and Healthcare where the Patient needs are in focus

12.00 Opening of the Registration and the Exhibition in the Agora Hall

Welcome, background and practicalities, Mia Bengtström Visiting Researcher, University of Helsinki and Associate professor, Åbo Akademi University

Use of RWD and AI in Drug development

Value and drivers of clinical trials and RWD studies, Erkki Soini, Chairman of the Board, Health Economist. ESiOR Oy

AI-Driven Real-World Evidence: Unlocking Early Detection and Drug Repurposing in Dementia, Christian Jonasson, Research Director, NordicRWE

Fingenious® service and Finnish biobanks offer unique opportunities for biomedical research, Johanna Mäkelä, PhD, Director of Research and Services, FINBB

A Finnish Nationwide Register Study Describing People With and Without ADHD, Tuire Prami, Oriola

The Power of Three – A Tripartite Collaboration in Register Research, Katja Nolvi, Associate Director, Quantify Research

Advancing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) prevention through health and social data in Finlandsession by Novartis

– Janne Martikainen, Professor, Data Science and Evidence Generation, ESIOR
– Annukka Kivela, Nordic Evidence Generation and Early Pipeline Lead, Novartis
– Tanja Hakkarainen, Healthcare Partnership Director, a.i, Novartis Finland

FIREFLY: classifying induced vasomotor symptoms using RWD and natural language processing, Samu Kurki, Strategic Project Lead, Bayer

Day 2:

Value-based Regulatory and HTA Decision-Making

External Control Arms in Regulatory and HTA Decision-Making, session by MedEngine

Host: Karin Luttropp, Senior Advisor – Real World Evidence NE Hub, Eli Lilly

– Evolving Guidelines on External Control Arms in Regulatory Decision-Making in Europe; Elina Asikanius, Biostatistician, FIMEA
– The Role of Real-World Evidence in Nordic Health Technology Assessment; Saku Torvinen, Market Access Director, MedEngine
– Methodological Approaches to Optimize Clinical Trials with External Control Arms; Maria Guzman-Castillo, Senior Data Scientist, MedEngine

Transportability and External Validity: Approaches to Generalizing Evidence, Iiro Toppila Data Analysis Lead, Medaffcon

Session on Value-Abased healthcare (J&J presentations TBC)

Value of Patient Experience Data When Addressing Local Stakeholders’ Needs, James Turnbull, Senior Principal, Patient Centered Solutions, IQVIA

Strengthening Confidence in RWE for Assisted Reproductive Technology: Merck KGaA’s Commitment to Scientific Rigor, Lise Braathen-Pettersen, Global Medical Director Fertility, Merck Healthcare

Unlocking the Power of RWE and AI for Cardiovascular Health: Insights from Helsinki Riikka-Leena Leskelä, Research Director | Senior Partner | Nordic Healthcare Group

Next-Generation Anonymization: Securing Nordic RWD for Cross-Border AI & RWE Innovation. Tuomo Pentikäinen, CEO of VEIL.AI

The Journey from Care to Evidence: Tackling Registry Hurdles, Hanna Heloterä, Senior Consultant, Pharmaca Health Intelligence Oy

Danish Patient Pathway AI – IQVIA

Please note: The program might see more additions closer to the seminar dates.

----

The conference is free of charge but requires registration with the cancellation policy; The last chance to cancel the registration is January 19th, after which there will be a fine of €100/day and €50 for the networking event.