Nordic Tech and Innovation leader Pia Erkinheimo Appointed Chairperson of the Board at Aqsens Health – An Interview with Pia Erkinheimo
Aqsens Health, the inventor of the groundbreaking phage-biosensor method, is pleased to announce the appointment of Pia Erkinheimo as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Her leadership roles in high tech, experience in building up businesses, and connections to the innovation ecosystems both in the Nordics and Europe will open up new opportunities for Aqsens Health and complement our board of directors with valuable insights. Pia will have a pivotal role in achieving Aqsens Health’s ambitious goal of becoming the most recognised company using biosensors in early stage diagnostics of severe diseases like cancer. In this interview Pia discusses her passion for innovation and how Finnish medtech and biotech companies can make it on the global market.
Could you describe your background in working with startups and deep-tech innovations?
I’m passionate, some who know me would even say I'm an innovation addict (or that I’m an innovation junkie). At first I had the privilege of working in a corporate strategy unit of a large multinational company and getting involved with open innovation and idea crowdsourcing. I have also worked with the European Commission and G7 with the theme of research, technology and innovation (STI). With this experience of innovation in systemic, European and industry ecosystem level I wished to get hands-on involved in the growing startup-ecosystem in the Nordics over 10 years ago. And I was fortunate to have had an opportunity to do it as an investor, team member in operational roles in startups, and as a board professional. For me innovation is about ideas, resources and people, the last one being the most important.
What inspires you in your life and career?
I would not call my path a career, I actually avoid using the word. I’m drawn to new ideas and people who are passionate about learning. In this complex world it’s the people who make the difference in whether an innovation gets wind under its wings. There is a larger call-to-action that I can relate to by Antoine Saint-Exupéry, the author of Le Petit Prince, who said: “As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.”
The global cost of healthcare is rising faster than the growth of global GDP. What are your thoughts on this trend, and how should healthcare systems adapt to address the growing financial burden?
The first thing that comes to mind is preventive care, focusing on healthier lifestyles, which also places less strain on the climate. Aqsens Health excels in making regular screenings more affordable and diagnostics more precise, even in low-income countries. This is a living example of how technology and innovation can improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Can Finnish medtech and biotech companies compete in the global market? What is needed to bring new innovations to the market?
There is absolutely no doubt about that – of course Finnish companies can do it, by reaching out to appropriate partners and ecosystems, and by making noise in relevant arenas. We need a top, passionate team, excellent, novel enough science based ideas, market analysis and business planning, patience in making iteration rounds regarding prototyping and testing, taking into account regulatory environment, and sales or other monetisation strategy. Almost all these phases need funding, and that is the current bottleneck in Europe – the shortage of capital in our continent for the life sciences sector. We need to overcome that obstacle.
How do you see the potential of Aqsens Health’s biosensor method? How could they help shape the future of early-stage diagnostics?
The whole field of life sciences is moving away from single indicators towards multiomics approaches, with AI being increasingly incorporated. Given their crucial role and recognition—including several Nobel Prizes in medtech’s history—integrating phage-biosensors into this development path makes me confident that biosensors will continue to shape the future. Aqsens Health’s biosensors have shown their capabilities in several research studies and now we are moving towards commercialisation and preclinical trials to show their performance in early-stage diagnostics.
What do you look forward to in leading the Board in 2025?
In Q4 of 2024, I closely analysed the company's assets, and I’m confident that this is the year Aqsens Health’s solutions will attract more partners and investors who share our mission, allowing us to reach the goals set.
Thank you for answering the questions Pia, we’re so fortunate to have you leading our board.
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