Planning to conduct early phase clinical trials? With 30 years of experience in early-phase research, CRST delivers the agility and expertise needed for success in clinical research.
CRST (Clinical Research Services Turku Oy), a part of LINK Medical, has earned a strong reputation for enabling proof of concept in early-phase clinical research — demonstrating safety, confirming efficacy, and establishing the practical feasibility of further development. Our operations are supported by a team of well-recognized scientific experts, as well as a proprietary healthy volunteer and patient database.
When CRST joined LINK Medical AS in January 2025, it strengthened LINK’s early-phase capabilities across the Nordics.
Meet the CSO
Petri Vainio Chief Scientific Officer
Petri Vainio, MD, PhD, is CRST’s Chief Scientific Officer, leading clinical development across our units. He previously served as Senior Medical Officer at the Finnish Medicines Agency (FIMEA) and on the national ethics committee Tukija. With over a decade in the pharmaceutical industry, he has guided drug candidates from preclinical stages to market approval, and has 20+ years of academic experience in pharmacology and drug development at the Universities of Helsinki and Turku, where he is adjunct professor.
“CRST is very reliable and professional, they have the full package as a phase I site. They are flexible and supportive whenever there is an issue. You can tell that they desire to be successful, trying to do things good, not only what is required”
/ Large pharma client
“CRST is very professional and delivers on time. The people are good to work with, and they are very flexible and willing to adapt when needed”
/ Small biotech company
“CRST has a good track record of early phase trials. They know exactly how to do it, which makes it very simple to work with them”
/ Large pharma client
Why CRST?
CRST delivers scientifically robust clinical research services, customized for every stage and type of drug development project.
World leading imaging capabilities combined with a broad therapeutic expertise in CNS, cardiovascular, metabolic, gastroenterology, and oncology studies (including radiopharmaceuticals).
Expertise covering a wide range of studies, including First in Human, clinical pharmacology and imaging studies as well as early patient studies.
Services & Indications:
End-to-end Clinical Development – Phase I-IV trials, including FiH (SAD/MAD) and recruitment expertise.
Bioequivalence, Bioavailability & Biosimilars – Comparative bioavailability, biosimilar evaluations, and related studies.
Formulation & Drug Interaction Studies – 'intrathecal', i.v., inhaled, transdermal, biologicals, vaccines, and interaction assessments
