FinVector's breakthrough – internationalization is the company’s lifeb

The biopharmaceutical company based in Kuopio, Finland knows that innovations do not appear out of thin air.

FinVector has worked hard for internationalization. The working language is English, and about a fifth of the employees have been recruited from outside Finland. The company collaborates with educational institutions, such as the University of Eastern Finland, and employs international students from many fields.

Finvector has attracted experts from all over the world, from biomedical experts to members of the management team.

“Finland alone can’t satisfy our need for specialized knowledge. Without international recruitment, we should train experts ourselves. That would be a long journey,” says HR Director Tiina Bies.

FinVector has grown rapidly thanks to its unique gene therapy drug for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

“This is a breakthrough and a success story, not only for Kuopio and Finland, but for the whole world. If standard treatment is unsuccessful, bladder removal has been the usual treatment. Everyone can imagine how this may affect the quality of life,” Bies says.

In December 2022, the targeted therapy received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) marketing approval. This marked the beginning of Finvector’s transition from a product development company into a commercial pharmaceutical company – and created a great need for additional recruitment.

Work in Finland has supported FinVector’s growth by helping the company in creating networks and attracting talent to Finland. In addition, Business Finland’s innovation funding has played a significant role in the further development of the company’s production process.

In particular, Bies praises the support the company has received for recruitment and the immigration permit process. The City of Kuopio also provides assistance in the bureaucratic jungle.

“Over the years, we have wondered with various stakeholders how we could attract experts here. The help provided has been invaluable.”

Companies can post vacancies on the Work in Finland website. Bies believes that visibility is important for the  employer image, so that people interested in Finland can find the company. Awareness about the company has increased around the world.

The company has also recruited preparatory personnel through RekryKoulutus training.

“Some have not possessed previous experience in the pharmaceutical industry, but they find motivation in meaningful work, helping patients, and the fight against cancer.

In addition, FinVector pays a recruitment fee to its own employees. Well-integrated employees have spread the word internationally.

People like to live in Finland. The work-life balance is attractive. Employers invest in the wellbeing of their employees by providing them with comprehensive occupational health care, healthy lunches, and leisure benefits.

“While the locals find the care provided by the employer and the law self-evident, many foreigners are surprised by it. They appreciate it,” Bies describes.

In the coffee room, you can hear the joyful confusion of languages, and the members of the work community also like to meet each other in their free time. Internationality has made FinVector a more communal workplace that more and more people find interesting.

“Finns are not that grumpy and quiet after all! We have gained courage and benefited socially from the diversity. After all, it’s amazing that we have such an international community here in Kuopio,” Bies says.

“I remember the day our first drug shipment left for the United States. Without our experts, we would not have achieved this.”

1. Prepare your company! Make sure that at least the basics have been translated into English in advance. Make sure that your personnel has the courage to communicate in English and welcome the newcomer in the community.

2. Dare to think bigger! Think beyond Finland’s borders and dare to dream bigger. Keep an open mind: you can learn new things and get new ideas by going international.

3. Engage people! Strengthen the positive image of Finland. Make it possible for the experts to enjoy living here.

International recruitment may seem complicated, but the benefits are well worth the effort. For FinVector, it has enabled a bright future.

“Finnish companies cannot meet their ambitious goals without recruiting internationally. Support is available, you just have to take the step,” Bies says.