A client of Finnish AI Region, Clinius Ltd, has developed a groundbreaking tool to support medical device research in just four months. FAIR's experts played a crucial role in designing the tool's algorithms and structure.
Clinius Ltd, a consultancy specialising in clinical device trials and quality systems, has taken a significant first step in leveraging artificial intelligence within the health technology sector. Within mere months, the company developed AI-powered software that streamlines the processing of medical device research data, dramatically reducing manual labour hours.
According to Clinius's Managing Director Miikka Maijala, the AI-powered tool emerged from an internal need and a desire to advance their ten-person specialist firm. Literature reviews, required as baseline data for research, are typically labour-intensive, with database searches often yielding hundreds, sometimes thousands of results per project. Clinius harnessed AI to conduct initial assessments of research findings.
"Previously, our experts would have to wade through more than a thousand scientific articles for a single project in worst-case scenarios. Now, AI helps us filter the essential findings from this vast amount of data," he notes with satisfaction.
Clinius is amongst Finnish AI Region's numerous clients. Support was provided by Senior Researchers Dr Janne Kauttonen and Dr Umair Ali Khan from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, who guided the company in designing the software's algorithms and structure, whilst Project Specialist Elisa Laatikainen ensured smooth client relations throughout.
According to Laatikainen, Clinius's engagement exemplifies seamless, goal-oriented collaboration. From the outset, the company had a clearly defined development objective born from genuine need, which formed the foundation of their client relationship.
"This made it straightforward to tailor a development pathway specifically addressing their needs and objectives, allowing work to progress smoothly whilst enabling swift and efficient results," she explains of the completed collaboration.
At FAIR, every client benefits from personalized care. This begins with a thorough needs assessment conducted by a dedicated Customer Manager, followed by the design of a tailored development pathway. Clients are then matched with the most suitable experts and service providers to address their specific goals.
The outcome is smart, customized solutions that drive business success.
Clinius boasts a diverse and extensive client base, ranging from university researchers with early-stage ideas to multinational corporations seeking specialist expertise and support in clinical research. With their AI tool developed in partnership with FAIR, the consultancy is exceptionally well-positioned to meet the growing demands of the health technology sector.
"Our smallest clients are typically working with university research-derived ideas. Our largest are multinational companies seeking specific expertise and supplementary support for their clinical research," explains Managing Director Maijala.
According to Maijala, EU regulations increasingly demand more precise evidence that medical devices function as manufacturers claim and provide more benefits than risks. This, in turn, requires more comprehensive investigation and increased workload for their small team. Clearly, by leveraging AI, the company can serve a broader client base more efficiently.
"I believe authorities will demand increasingly comprehensive literature reviews in the future. AI won't replace humans, but it significantly accelerates our work. It allows us to conduct broader searches without costs becoming prohibitive," he estimates.
With this spark ignited, the company is already planning new AI initiatives to enhance operations. Maijala notes that when specialists can focus on a smaller workload, accuracy naturally improves. The AI tool developed by Clinius currently remains for internal use only, with no plans for external sales.
