Leadership

Nino, Norifumi Ninokata
CEO

Nino was appointed President of Medfiles in May 2020 and became CEO in January 2021. Since 2016, he has been involved in WDB Group’s overseas business, serving as the head of both the US and EU operations. Currently, he is engaged in management in Finland.

Born in Hyogo Prefecture in Japan, he graduated from the Tokyo University of Science with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1999 and completed a master’s degree in Innovation Studies (specializing in Technology Management) at the Tokyo University of Science Graduate School in 2013. After working at a consulting firm in Japan, he joined WDB Group in 2005, where he was involved in planning, HR, and subsidiary management. In 2010, he became the President and CEO of WDB Business Succession Partners Co., Ltd., (currently serves as a Director). He has contributed to the development and expansion of WDB Group’s business operations.

Medfiles provides services to client companies developing and selling products in the European market, as well as to customers worldwide, including in US, Japan, and Asia. With his experience in business understanding and management from a global perspective in different cultural contexts, he is working daily from Finland to contribute to Medfiles’ growth and development.

Heta Karvinen
Director, Pharma Regulatory Affairs

Heta Karvinen has worked at Medfiles since 2013. All in all, she has some 15 years of experience from pharmaceutical development, marketing application dossiers and post-approval changes. Before joining Medfiles, Heta was involved in drug product and drug substance development in the pharmaceutical industry.

She has experience from planning pharmaceutical and chemical studies needed for global marketing authorisation applications as well as the regulatory guidelines that govern such studies. Previously at Medfiles, Heta worked as a senior pharmaceutical chemical expert, utilising her skillset in various drug development projects as well as managing quality dossiers for human and veterinary medicines, post-approval variation applications and the studies required to support them. During the years, she has gained valuable expertise from active substance documentation in both the European Union and the United States. In February 2022, Heta was appointed Director of Pharma Regulatory Affairs at Medfiles.

Essi Sarkkinen
Director, Clinical Research and Medical Device

Since joining Medfiles in 2014, Essi Sarkkinen has held several leadership positions. She led the Food, Feed, and Medical Device Regulatory Unit, and later the Clinical Unit. In March 2025, she was appointed Director of Clinical Research and Medical Device.

Essi has a PhD in clinical nutrition and she is adjunct professor at the University of Eastern Finland. Essi has published dozens of scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and supervised four academic dissertations. After her academic career, she has worked for over 15 years managing and leading contract research in the field of food and nutrition. In the beginning of the 2000s, Essi started working with clinical trials for medicinal products and good clinical practice (GCP), as well as regulatory affairs concerning food product, like health claims and novel foods.

Essi has over 30 years of experience in clinical trials and medical writing as well as know-how of R&D and regulatory affairs in the fields of food, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. All in all, she has worked in various leadership positions in contract research organisations for over 25 years.

Jari Huttunen
Director, ICT

Jari has been an important part of Medfiles since 2009. Initially focusing on roles related to implementing the document management system, Jari currently serves as the ICT Director, overseeing the seamless operation of the IT infrastructure at company level. With a team of dedicated professionals, Jari ensures the alignment of tech strategies with the core objectives of the company.

Jari holds a master’s degree in computer science and has a strong interest in data integrity and servant leadership, backed by over 15 years of experience in the pharma and biotech industry. His commitment to using emerging technologies to drive organisational success is demonstrated by his ongoing efforts to ensure optimal IT infrastructures and solutions for the company.

In his current role, he combines his interests in efficient operations and new technology, bringing together a strong mix of strategic insight and innovative approaches. He has played a key role in promoting a culture of collaboration and inclusivity while never losing focus on the robust and secure IT solutions required in the pharmaceutical sector.

Jari continues to explore technological advancements, participating actively in forums and contributing to discussions around technological evolution in the pharmaceutical sector, to ensure that the best possible solutions are employed at Medfiles – now and in the future.