Events
Location
Sofia Helsinki, Sofiankatu 4C, Helsinki
Schedule
Thursday 30.10.2025 08.30-17.00
See also
VALO and FinHITS invite experts, professionals, and decision-makers in the health sector from the Nordics and across Europe to the Nordic Health Data Summit. The event will take place on 30 October 2025 in Helsinki, Finland, with part of the programme available for online streaming.
The event will present results from the first part of the Value from Nordic health data (VALO) project, a Nordic Council of Ministers-funded initiative now involving all Nordic countries, with Estonia and Lithuania as observers. VALO aims to harmonise implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation in the Nordic countries, strengthen the Nordic co-operation on, and maintain a leading position in the secondary use of health data. It showcases the Nordic collaboration through pilot studies using health data from several Nordic countries.
Also contributing to the event is FinHITS, a four-year project co-funded by the European Union that strengthens Finland’s health data infrastructure for secondary use and supports the country’s integration into the EHDS. FinHITS is run by the Finnish Social and Health Data Permit Authority (Findata).
To promote cross-border collaboration and position the Nordic countries as leaders in implementing the EHDS, the Nordic Health Data Summit brings together experts from various fields to highlight synergies, share insights, and showcase successful examples of data sharing. By presenting best practices from various use cases, the event explores what different sectors can learn from each other.
The event is organised by VALO in collaboration with Findata and the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and to explore how cross-sectoral data collaboration improves everyday life in the Nordics—health and beyond!
Attendance is free but prior registration is required.
08:30
09:00
Join us for breakfast beginning at 08:30.
09:15
Live stream begins.
09:35
This introductory session offers an overview of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), delves into its broader implications, and examines the current progress in its implementation. Finally, we’ll showcase the steps taken by the Nordics and Baltics to lead the way in harmonized EHDS implementation and cross-border collaboration (VALO-project).
10:35
Åslaug Helland, MD, PhD, Research Director, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University HospitalJames Brash, PhD, Senior Healthcare Data Scientist, IQVIATalita Duarte Salles, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MCSeverin Kohler, Interoperability Researcher, Heidelberg University HospitalChristian Högberg, Health Data Entrepreneur & Change Agent, edenceHealth NV & Passion 2 Improve ABGustav Klingstedt, Senior Planning Officer, Institute for Health and Welfare
MD, PhD, Research Director, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital
PhD, Senior Healthcare Data Scientist, IQVIA
PhD, Assistant Professor of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC
Interoperability Researcher, Heidelberg University Hospital
Health Data Entrepreneur & Change Agent, edenceHealth NV & Passion 2 Improve AB
Senior Planning Officer, Institute for Health and Welfare
Introduction:Åslaug Helland, MD, PhD, Research Director, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University HospitalJames Brash, PhD, Senior Healthcare Data Scientist, IQVIAPanellists: Talita Duarte Salles, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC Severin Kohler, Interoperability Researcher, Heidelberg University HospitalChristian Högberg, Health Data Entrepreneur & Change Agent, edenceHealth NV & Passion 2 Improve ABModerator:Gustav Klingstedt, Senior Planning Officer, Institute for Health and Welfare
This session shares key outcomes, lessons learned, and future recommendations from the VALO pilot focusing on federated analysis using the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) model. It highlights insights on federated data analysis and showcases an analysis-based operating model to produce real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) on the use and effectiveness of medicines.
11:00
11:50
Rebekka Björg Guðmundsdóttir, Project Manager, Directorate of Health IcelandJulius Joudakis, Head of the Health Data Team, State Data AgencyMarketta Liljeström, Coordinator for Patient and Public Involvement and Communications, iCAN – Digital Precision Cancer MedicineNicolas E. Vaugelade-Baust, M.D., Nordic Evidence Generation Director, NovartisSigríður Haraldsdóttir Elínardóttir, Head of Division, Health Information, Directorate of Health Iceland
Project Manager, Directorate of Health Iceland
Head of the Health Data Team, State Data Agency
Coordinator for Patient and Public Involvement and Communications, iCAN – Digital Precision Cancer Medicine
M.D., Nordic Evidence Generation Director, Novartis
Head of Division, Health Information, Directorate of Health Iceland
Introduction:Rebekka Björg Guðmundsdóttir, Project Manager, Directorate of Health Iceland Panellists:Julius Joudakis, Head of the Health Data Team, State Data AgencyMarketta Liljeström, Coordinator for Patient and Public Involvement and Communications, iCAN – Digital Precision Cancer MedicineNicolas E. Vaugelade-Baust, M.D., Nordic Evidence Generation Director, NovartisModerator:Sigríður Haraldsdóttir Elínardóttir, Head of Division, Health Information, Directorate of Health Iceland
This session will explore the next steps for making the Nordic model for collaboration on the secondary use of health data operational. A proposed roadmap will serve as a starting point for discussion, highlighting how the model can be put into practice in alignment with the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and the Nordic sustainability goals for 2030. The conversation will focus on what is needed to ensure the model creates value, the types of benefits and incentives that would attract stakeholders, and how stronger Nordic collaboration can drive cross-border efficiency and innovation
12:25
Maari Parkkinen, Development Manager, Findata
Development Manager, Findata
In this session, Findata shares key lessons learned from the Data Permit Authority’s perspective, along with upcoming initiatives from FinHITS—a four-year project co-funded by the European Union—and discusses their efforts to strengthen Finland’s data infrastructure for the secure and efficient secondary use of health data. FinHITS helps prepare Finland for seamless integration into the EHDS.
12:35
Live stream ends, afternoon sessions only available onsite.
13:40
14:40
Emilie Toresson Grip, Director, Head of RWE and Data Analytics, Quantify ResearcHMika Torhola, Director, New Business, AtostekAarno Palotie, Research Director, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland
Director, Head of RWE and Data Analytics, Quantify ResearcH
Director, New Business, Atostek
Research Director, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland
This session shares practical insights into the secondary use of social and health data through three real-world case studies presented by innovative research projects. These examples showcase the variety of possibilities for research, development and innovation enabled by the high-quality data. Together, they illustrate the impact and potential of Finland’s evolving data ecosystem.
14:50
15:45
Janne Lautanala, Chief Ecosystem and Technology Officer, FintrafficOlli Soininen, Head of Programs, Fintraffic
Chief Ecosystem and Technology Officer, Fintraffic
Head of Programs, Fintraffic
This session highlights successful examples of data sharing from use cases in the transport sector, showcasing best practices for cross-border collaboration that can benefit the healthcare sector. The goal is to inspire new synergies and strengthen Nordic-Baltic cooperation around secure and scalable data sharing practices, ensuring the region remains at the forefront of EHDS implementation.
16:00
15:00
17:00
Sofiankulma
Join Findata’s pop-up from 15:00 to 17:00 in Sofiankulma, 2nd floor for a glimpse into the future of data services. Meet their experts, ask questions, and get inspired! The pop-up runs alongside our main program, and you’re free to move between sessions.
Join us for relaxed networking in the Sofia Helsinki Restaurant.