At Uniogen, our Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) services help companies accelerate product development. Whether it is a small feasibility study or a full-scale assay development project, our team brings deep expertise, regulatory know-how, and flexibility to every collaboration. To provide an inside look at what makes these partnerships successful, we spoke with Jiri Vainio, our Senior R&D Scientist, who has been part of our R&D team since 2015.

---

From thesis worker to expert in assay development

Jiri first joined Uniogen while completing his Master’s thesis in biotechnology at the University of Turku. Over the years, he has become a key figure in our R&D projects, including customer projects that transform assay concepts into real-world products. “My projects are usually about finding out whether it is feasible or not to turn some assay concept into a product,” he explains. This means working closely with customers’ technical teams to solve challenges and ensure development moves forward smoothly.

For Jiri, the most rewarding part of the job is exceeding expectations:

“It’s definitely the fact that the customer typically has some expectations considering their product concepts, and when you manage to exceed those with some state-of-the-art technical solution.”

 

Building the foundation for success

Every successful project begins with clear communication. Early discussions set goals, define responsibilities, and identify risks. These conversations often reveal insights that reshape objectives and lay the foundation for success. Jiri emphasizes that practical arrangements and open dialogue are critical:
“Usually, the most important thing is setting up all the practical stuff which creates the framework for a successful project and communication.”

Collaboration that feels like one team

What makes these collaborations stand out is the sense of unity that develops between teams. Regular meetings keep everyone aligned, and soon the boundaries between customer and supplier fade. “Sometimes in the middle of things you forget that the person you are working with is from a completely different company,” Jiri says. Customers appreciate Uniogen’s flexibility, responsiveness, and deep know-how, which are qualities that make cooperation seamless and effective.

Innovation and adaptability in action

Challenges often arise, especially during technology transfers where customer’s existing systems need to be replicated using different approaches. Over the years, we have learned that innovation often means finding simpler solutions.

This adaptability, combined with Uniogen’s commitment to quality and regulatory compliance, ensures that projects meet the highest standards. Every step follows established SOPs that integrate regulatory requirements, giving customers confidence in the process. There is also a possibility to carry out the projects and manufacture the products under ISO13485 guidelines.

Helping customers achieve their goals

For diagnostic and life science companies, partnering with Uniogen can be a game-changer. Even large organizations with their own R&D teams may lack resources for specific development tasks. “That’s where we can help them the most, by being ready to jump in whether it is a small or a larger project they want to advance,” Jiri explains. What sets Uniogen apart is not just technical skill but an interdisciplinary team and a culture of seamless cooperation. Reflecting on his experience, Jiri adds:

“I’ve learned that our know-how is world-class on many areas. This has definitely been a positive surprise.”

Behind every project is a mix of innovation and persistence. While creative thinking is essential, much of the work involves rigorous lab testing, repeating experiments and adjusting parameters to find the optimum. It is this combination of expertise, flexibility, and commitment that makes Uniogen a trusted partner for CDMO services.

 

 

Looking for assay development, custom components or kit manufacturing, or perhaps innovative plate readers? Whatever your needs, we’ll work with you to create the perfect solution. Contact us to get started!

 

Due to the confidential nature of most of our client projects, we are unable to share them publicly. For a selection of references, please visit this page.