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Lauri Polari
Project leader

Lauri Polari

My work in Feanalytic consist of daily collaboration with project members and associates as well as external partners. I also supervise laboratory work and manage the transition from academic research toward product development.

I have a background in both cell biology, chemistry and product development. Before Feanalytic, I had already studied intestinal inflammation and inflammation induced changes in epithelial cells in more academic context. New biomarkers in Feanalytic project were actually found in this research. Later, I was the main applicant for Novo Nordisk Foundation funding, which was granted for us in 2023 to accelerate commercialization our findings.

Associate Professor

Diana Toivola

I oversee the excellent Feanalytic team as well as our supportive academic research at Åbo Akademi University. I utilize my broad international network to setup collaborations with gastroenterologist working on gastrointestinal diseases.

The business idea for Feanalytic was born in my academic team, where we study molecular mechanisms behind the development of intestinal inflammation. We focus on cytoskeletal keratins – the very protein family our first Feanalytic IBD biomarker belongs to. I have over 35 years of experience from Finland and Silicon Valley in the field of keratins in gastrointestinal epithelial health and diseases.

Business expert

Jaakko Korpela

My mission in Feanalytic is to set forth the business venture from our research finding to commercial success. My main tasks are to explore market opportunities in healthcare and diagnostic industry and develop our business strategy and commercial partnerships.

I have entrepreneurial experience in launching and managing two startup companies. My background is in biotechnology, while my work experience ranges from gut microbiome research to novel food protein production and food safety. I have managed multiple R&D projects bridging academia and industry to develop new commercial products from research findings.

Researcher

Maria Ilomäki

I’m developing noninvasive analytical approaches to monitor intestinal diseases.  Currently, my major focus is on utilizing microwell plate-based immunodiagnostics for IBD detection.

My degrees in both pharmacy and biochemistry as well as my thesis, in which I presented a novel, noninvasive method to study keratin changes in intestine, are strong assets in this work.