Ankerias — Personalized chronic pain treatment and patient selection

Global chronic pain won’t wait, and neither will we.

Ankerias enables personalized chronic pain treatment

and patient selection to renew global pain care.

https://ankerias.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-AnkeriasSymbol.png

Ankerias brings together a unique combination of expertise in the physiology of the pain, AI/ML, and data analysis. Our passion is to fuse these with cutting-edge technology to create a game-changing healthcare solution for chronic pain.

Read on ›

Ankerias brings together a unique combination of expertise in pain’s physiology, AI/ML, and data analysis. Our passion is to fuse these with cutting-edge technology to create a game-changing healthcare solution for chronic pain.

Read on ›

Enabling personalized chronic pain treatment and patient selection

Global chronic pain

Everyone deserves to live a healthy and pain-free life. Around 1.5 billion individuals globally suffer from chronic pain, with neuropathic pain affecting 7–10% of these cases. Too many are left in pain without adequate care, leading to ongoing suffering.

Spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) provides pain relief when other treatments don’t. SCS reduces pain in 40–80% of treated cases. Stimulation also reduces and stabilizes drug use. Moreover, it has been shown to decrease healthcare costs by 20–50%.

However, less than 5% of eligible patients receive this treatment. Underutilization of effective care entails significant additional costs for societies in various forms.

Ankerias’s solution

Ankerias provides healthcare professionals with a digital platform that enhances the treatment of chronic pain patients. Using pain diary, data analysis, AI/ML and physiological modeling we personalize and target SCS pain therapy better.

Meet Ankerias ›

Meet Team Ankerias

We have a very strong background in neuroscience, pain research, data analysis, and AI/ML applications.

Hanna Viisanen-Kuopila

PhD, Adj. Prof. in Physiology
Founder, CEO

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Hanna is the medical backbone of our innovation at Ankerias Oy. She has over 15 years of experience in neuroscience, particularly in pain physiology, pharmacology, and neuromodulation.

Her significant research work, cited in over 600 publications, showcases her expertise in neuropathic and chronic pain treatment. As the founder of Ankerias Oy, Hanna utilizes her leadership education and project management experience to guide the company’s vision and operations.

Hanna’s passion is to enhance health services and the lives of pain patients by combining healthcare and AI, drawing on her vast network in healthcare, wearable technology, and AI sectors.

Riku Tikkanen

MSc in Computer Science
Co-founder, CTO

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Riku specializes in machine learning, data analytics, and wearable sensor technology.

At Ankerias, he focuses on developing algorithms for health data analysis and integrating AI to enhance healthcare. His background includes working with smartwatches and fitness trackers, as well as analyzing and integrating software for health tech devices. This experience in collaborating with physiologists and universities supports the success of Ankerias.

Set to join Ankerias full-time in March 2024, Riku’s technical skills and innovative approach are vital in advancing our mission in healthcare technology.

Let’s talk ›

Our advisors

Alexander Helmut Jung

Associate Professor for ML,
Aalto University

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Dr. Alexander Jung is a tenured Associate Professor for Machine Learning at the Department of Computer Science of Aalto University (Finland) where he leads the group Trustworthy Machine Learning from Big Data over Networks.

Dr. Jung serves as advisor to Ankerias with a profound understanding of computational methodologies and their applications in healthcare.

Dr. Jung’s expertise and passion for leveraging machine learning in healthcare exemplify Ankerias’s commitment to pioneering solutions that empower patients and healthcare providers alike in the fight against chronic pain.

Mette Nissen

MD PhD, Consultant in Neurosurgery,
Kuopio University Hospital

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Mette Nissen, a Neurosurgery Specialist at Kuopio University Hospital, has over a decade of expertise in neuromodulation.

At Ankerias, Mette brings not only her clinical expertise but also her unique perspective on applying AI and machine learning in treating patient with chronic pain. Mette’s expertise is crucial as we develop innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of chronic pain patients.

Her involvement in our team reinforces our commitment to providing cutting-edge care and support to patients, utilizing the latest technology in chronic pain treatment.

Tapio Jakobsson

MSc, Consultant, Regulatory affairs and quality expert

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Tapio brings extensive experience in medtech and healthtech, supporting Ankerias in navigating regulatory affairs and quality assurance. With deep expertise in MDR, FDA regulations, and ISO 13485, Tapio ensures that Ankerias meets all necessary compliance requirements in a streamlined and efficient manner.

Tapio's expertise also covers software-based medical devices and AI-driven technologies, including risk management and regulatory pathways for innovative digital health solutions.

Tapio helps Ankerias accelerate market entry while maintaining high-quality standards. The focus is on achieving compliance without unnecessary complexity, allowing the company to concentrate on innovation and growth.

Pekka Männistö

MSc, Consultant, Health economics expert

More info

Collaborators

Collaborators

Ankerias News

Follow Ankerias, progress of our project, and meet our team at forthcoming events.

Our software and processes are steadily developing and being tested during the first part of the year 2025. The first patient testing and pilot programs were planned in Q4/2024 and have been carried out in January 2025.

Drop us a message, let’s have a talk so we can tell you more about Ankerias’s solution!

Send us a message ›

Ankerias successfully completes first patient testing phase in Oulu

12.2.2025

We have reached a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionize chronic pain treatment – the first testing phase of our solution is now successfully completed! This is an important step forward in developing a more innovative and personalized approach to pain management.

The testing was carried out in collaboration with the OuluHealth ecosystem, Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue (Pohde), and OYS TestLab. Their cutting-edge infrastructure and expertise provided an excellent environment to validate our technology and further refine our approach.

The insights gained during this phase will help us further develop and refine our solution.

Ankerias secures Business Finland's Tempo Funding to revolutionize chronic pain treatment

17.10.2024

We are excited to announce that Ankerias Oy has been granted Business Finland's Tempo funding. This support will help us accelerate our mission to revolutionize the treatment of chronic pain.

Ankerias has moved to Terkko Health Hub in Meilahti, Helsinki!

1.10.2024

Great news — again! Ankerias has moved to Terkko Health Hub in Meilahti, Helsinki. Meilahti is the home to the leading Finnish hospital Helsinki University Central Hospital, the Medical faculty of University of Helsinki, and many innovative healthtech companies.

Our new location and Terkko Health Hub offer us a better access to key healthcare professionals, a vibrant start-up ecosystem and exciting networking opportunities.

We look forward to seeing what this change will bring to our growth and innovation together with Health Incubator Helsinki!

Our journey with the Health Incubator Helsinki Program!

10.9.2024

We’re thrilled to announce that our journey in the Health Incubator Helsinki Program is now underway.

The Health Incubator Helsinki recently published a news article about our story and what lies ahead. You can read it here >.

Our mission is to create a future where chronic pain patients can live satisfying and pain-free lives, thanks to cutting-edge technology.

The program’s mentorship, networking opportunities, and infrastructure are helping us accelerate our growth and development.

Great news! Ankerias has been selected for
the Health Incubator Helsinki program!

28.5.2024

We have great news! Ankerias Oy has been selected for the Health Incubator Helsinki program together with 9 other teams.

This collaboration is significant for us and is a big step forward in our commitment to integrate health, software technology and artificial intelligence to transform healthcare and chronic pain treatments.

Empowering Chronic Pain Management:
Our Journey with the Nexus Program

29.2.2024

At Ankerias, we are committed to revolutionizing healthcare solutions for chronic pain. Our dedication to this mission led us to participate in the Nexus program, an incubator and accelerator initiative designed to support startups in the field of AI, Deep Tech, and sustainability.

The Nexus program provided us with a unique opportunity to collaborate with mentors, experts, and fellow entrepreneurs who share our passion for innovation in healthcare. From the kick-off event to the final Demo Day, every moment spent in the program was filled with learning, growth, and inspiration.

One of the most significant benefits of the Nexus program was the mentorship and guidance we received from experienced professionals. Through workshops, one-on-one sessions, and networking events, we gained valuable insights into various aspects of entrepreneurship, including pitching, business model development, corporate innovation, and team building. These insights have helped us shape our startup journey and refining our approach to addressing the complex challenges of chronic pain management.

Moreover, the Nexus program provided us with access to a supportive network of like-minded individuals. We had the opportunity to connect with investors, corporates, and industry experts who provided feedback, guidance, and potential partnerships. This network has been invaluable in accelerating our growth and expanding our reach within the healthcare industry.

We look forward to applying the lessons learned and continuing to innovate and collaborate as we strive to revolutionize healthcare solutions for those in need!

Our journey began in HealthX and Nexus incubator programs in 2023.

19.1.2024

Ankerias’s journey began with participation in the HealthX pre-incubator program. Our team had a vision and a common goal of improving the wellbeing of chronic pain patients. The team wanted to combine their expertise to create game-changing solutions for the healthcare sector. The HealthX program was instrumental in leveraging our shared skills and knowledge, leading to the development of our initial concept and participation in the next phase — the Nexus incubator program. This is where Ankerias turned from an idea into a reality, culminating in the founding of our company in late 2023.

The programs have been a significant step in our journey as a startup company. These programs have helped us develop our business model, network with industry experts, and helped us access important resources. In addition, we have networked with other innovators and are now in a better position to bring our solutions to market.

We are grateful for our journey in the programs. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress in pain management.

Check out Nexus incubator program website ›

Ankerias News

Follow Ankerias, our project proceedings, and meet our team at forthcoming events.

Drop us a message, let’s have a talk so we can tell you more about Ankerias’s solution!

Send us a message ›

Ankerias successfully completes first patient testing phase in Oulu

12.2.2025

The insights gained during this phase will help us further develop and refine our solution.

Ankerias secures Business Finland's Tempo Funding to revolutionize chronic pain treatment

17.10.2024

We are excited to announce that Ankerias Oy has been granted Business Finland's Tempo funding. This support will help us accelerate our mission to revolutionize the treatment of chronic pain.

Ankerias has moved to Terkko Health Hub in Meilahti, Helsinki!

1.10.2024

Our new location and Terkko Health Hub offer us a better access to key healthcare professionals, a vibrant start-up ecosystem and exciting networking opportunities.

We look forward to seeing what this change will bring to our growth and innovation together with Health Incubator Helsinki!

Great news! Ankerias has been selected for
the Health Incubator Helsinki program!

28.5.2024

We have great news! Ankerias Oy has been selected for the Health Incubator Helsinki program together with 9 other teams.

Our journey began in HealthX and Nexus incubator programs in 2023.

29.2.2024

We look forward to applying the lessons learned and continuing to innovate and collaborate as we strive to revolutionize healthcare solutions for those in need!

Our journey began in HealthX and Nexus incubator programs in 2023.

19.1.2024

We are grateful for our journey in the programs. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress in pain management.

Check out Nexus incubator program website ›

We are looking for investors and partners!

Interested to hear more? Contact us.

Ankerias is based in Espoo and Helsinki, Finland.

Let’s organize a meeting so we can look at Ankerias’s solution in detail, face to face or online.

We should discuss how we could collaborate with you and your organization!

Interested to hear more? Contact us.

Ankerias is based in Espoo and Helsinki, Finland.

Let’s organize a meeting so we can look at Ankerias’s solution in detail, face to face or online.

We should discuss how we could collaborate with you and your organization!

Global chronic pain won’t wait, and neither will we.

Ankerias enables personalized chronic pain treatment

and patient selection to renew global pain care.

Global chronic pain

Spinal cord stimulation

Ankerias’s solution

Meet Team Ankerias