Team leaders in product development and analytical services

Mirja Savolainen started as a laboratory manager in the microbiological laboratory in Medfiles, establishing the service area and developing it further. After 10 years in that position, Mirja moved on to lead the entire R&D and Analytical Services Unit, which is today independent company, Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing (BPT) Finland and employs over 70 technicians and experts.

Mirja graduated from the University of Eastern Finland with a Master of Science degree in biochemistry. Before, Mirja worked in various teaching positions at the University of Eastern Finland, microbiology as her main subject.

During her long career as a business unit director, Mirja has also acted as the responsible director (GMP) for ten years. From 2007 to 2012, she also held the position of occupational safety manager. Furthermore, Mirja has been active in marketing and sales as well as in strategic planning, as a member of the management team. During the years, Mirja has gained extensive experience in leading the business in the GMP-regulated area and providing services for the pharmaceutical industry in Europe and beyond.

Minna started Medfiles’ career as an R&D scientist specialising in industrialisation and product maintenance activities supporting client’s operations. After couple of  years, she moved to lead the R&D and Product Maintenance Team, consisting of nine pharmaceutical experts, for nine years.

Along with leading the team, she has been a key person in establishing clinical manufacturing service to extend Eurofins BPT’s service portfolio. In her current position as Business Unit Manager, she oversees the daily operations and is responsible for the quality and performance of the unit.

She graduated from the University of Kuopio, Finland, with a M.Sc. in Pharmacy specialising in pharmaceutical technology. Prior to her work at Eurofins BPT, she has worked in various positions within the pharmaceutical industry for eight years.

She has gained wide expertise in the pharmaceutical field during her career. A keen understanding of the big picture is her strength which can be well utilised when discovering the cooperation possibilities with and for clients.

Tuija Happonen started her career as a chemist to develop the functions and quality of the chemical laboratory of Medfiles as well as to expand the services of the chemical laboratory. After 12 years, she started as laboratory manager of quality control unit, later as the laboratory manager for the entire laboratory. In 2022, Tuija became the supervisor of new managers with the title Head of Operations in the R&D and Analytics unit.

In her current position as Business Unit Manager, she is responsible for the unit’s resources, internal laboratory functions, development, and contributes to the unit’s results.

Tuija graduated in 2018 from the University of Jyväskylä with an M.Sc. in organic chemistry, and she also has pedagogical studies and qualifications to work in teaching positions. Before joining Medfiles, she worked in quality control laboratory as a chemist, specialising in inhalation products.

With over 20 years of experience as a chemist and laboratory manager, Tuija has strong knowledge of the GMP quality system, laboratory function development, and managerial tasks. Tuija holds a strong desire and bold vision to develop and automate laboratory functions as well as strive for profitable business while meeting GMP requirements.

Eero started in Medfiles as a laboratory manager in analytical laboratory, establishing and developing that service area. Little by little, as the operation grew, the proportion of client contacts and communication increased along with daily laboratory management. In 2018, Eero moved to full-time sales and marketing of laboratory services, and continues in same position in Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing (BPT) Finland. He has also experience in pharma and food industry and in environmental laboratory.

Eero graduated from University of Turku with M.Sc. in Biochemistry, with a specialisation in food chemistry. He has also completed pedagogical studies. During his long career in laboratories, Eero has acquired knowledge of different quality systems, GMP and ISO 9001. After working such a long time in business development and in pharmaceuticals, the cooperation network has expanded, and the understanding of customers’ needs has increased. The best part of the job is to meet the customers and think about cooperation possibilities together.