The President of the Republic has awarded the Order of the Lion of Finland, 1st Class, to Giuseppe Carloni and Jean- Frédéric Paulsen of FinVector Ltd

The President of the Republic has awarded the Order of the Lion of Finland, 1st Class, to Giuseppe Carlon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FinVector Oy, and Jean-Frédéric Paulsen (Executive Chairman of Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Ferring Ventures) on the nomination of the City of Kuopio. This is the first time when the City of Kuopio has presented medals of honor to foreign citizens.

In the explanatory memorandum to the proposal was mentioned, that Mr Carloni and Mr Paulsen have made a significant personal contribution to the construction of FinVector Ltd’s FinPort production facility in Kuopio and to the approval by the US Food and Drug Administration to start production of a gene therapy medicine in Kuopio. The impact of this investment is significant for both the region’s industry and educational institutions.

“These honors are the City of Kuopio’s way of showing how pleased we are with your contribution to our city’s economy, prosperity and science,” said Aleksi Eskelinen, Chairman of the City Council, in his speech to the recipients.

FinVector Ltd and Ferring Pharmaceuticals opened a new gene therapy manufacturing facility, Finport, in Kuopio in October 2024. The company’s operations have had a significant economic impact in the Kuopio region in recent years. FinVector Ltd is also one of the largest private sector employers in the region. The company strengthens Kuopio’s knowledge and research cluster in the field of health technology.

Giuseppe Carloni, who received the Medal of Honour, was visibly touched by the recognition he had received. “I feel I am from Kuopio. I have lived here continuously for two and a half years. During that time I met some wonderful people and felt part of the community. Thank you for this recognition. This is something I will hold in my heart for the rest of my life,” Carloni said in his thanks speech.