Research and development of stem cells for the development of new cell therapies
The Foundation's activities take place at national and international level and include, in particular, research and development of pre-clinical technologies, advice on new products through qualified professionals, the study and development of new tools, medical devices, therapies and, more generally, applied research projects.
The Foundation's activities also include the provision of analytical and research services, the training of researchers and healthcare professionals, the promotion and organisation of courses, congresses and other events, as well as public dissemination of knowledge in this field through all suitable means.
Research
Of new human cell therapies based on stem cells.
Training
Training, consultancy and dissemination of knowledge in this field to professionals and the public.
The Foundation also pursues the goal of conducting educational and training programmes in the field of stem cells.
Our Vision
The idea of developing therapies using human cells was initially pursued as a joint project with Cardiocentro Ticino until 2011, when SSCF relocated its laboratories and continued research in this field independently.
An investment of 15 million francs in SSCF by the G. und I. Leifheit Foundation of Nassau (Germany) enabled the development of a unified regenerative medicine project, which is now taking shape with the construction of an Institute entirely dedicated to regenerative medicine on Via Tesserete in Lugano.
In 2022, the entry of the Genolier group into SSCF further advanced this project towards the completion of this Institute, whose opening is scheduled for early 2025.
SSCF History
From the foundations that have brought us this far, to the continuous growth that will allow us to go even further.
First transplant
First stem cell transplant
into a heart, performed by the president of the Swiss Stem Cell Foundation.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
Preservation
Start of the preservation of cord blood stem cells with the first company specialised in cell banking in Switzerland.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
The foundation
Establishment of the Swiss Stem Cell Foundation, with a stronger focus on the development of applied research.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
First clean room
Opening of the first clean room in Switzerland dedicated to stem cell therapies.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
Acquisition and results
Acquisition of a clean room at the Technopark in Zurich for biobank activities and the development of clinical studies. Patents are registered for the results of 3 research projects.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
Collaboration
Start of the collaboration with EPFL Lausanne and study of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
The biobank
Start of construction of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine in Lugano, Switzerland. The biobank is also launched and the first patients begin to be treated.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
The protocol
Submission of the adipose tissue biobanking protocol to Swissmedic for market authorisation. In the same year, we publish our study on the characterisation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in Nature.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
The acquisition
Acquisition of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine by Infracore.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
The opening of the centre
Opening of the regenerative medicine centre in Lugano.
Momento storico della Swiss Stem Cell Foundation
The SSCF Board of Trustees
Fulvio Pelli
Chairman of the Board
Jacques Bernier
Board Member
Antoine Hubert
Board Member
Antoine Kohler
Raymond Loretan
Board Member
Claudio Massa
Board Member
Gianni Soldati
Board Member
The SSCF Scientific Committee
The members of our foundation have years of experience in the field of scientific research.
Dr. Gianni Soldati
Dr. Luca Mariotta
Quality Control Manager
Professor Guy Magalon
Professor
Dr. Jacques Bernier
Board Member
Professor Carlo Ventura
Professor
Professor Lana E. Kandalaft
Associate Professor
Introducing the Institute of Regenerative Medicine, designed by architect Enrico Sassi
The Institute will be located in the hospital district of the City of Lugano, with the specific purpose of advancing applied research and training in the field of stem cells.
Three thousand five hundred square metres of applied research laboratory, with the stated aim of becoming one of the pillars of a global vision in biomedicine, where researchers, doctors and engineers alike will be able to develop projects in the field of stem cells.
The Institute is structured over four levels: an underground level for technical spaces, storage and archives, a semi-underground level housing the Institute's entrance, and two above-ground levels for laboratories and administrative spaces.
The available spaces will be of various kinds, from clean rooms for the handling of biological material in GMP class, to laboratories for genetics, to others for diagnostics or applied research.
There will also be biobank spaces for the cryopreservation of stem cells and other tissues over long periods, up to thirty years, as well as research laboratory space for around fifty researchers.
The Institute also includes conference rooms for organising events, available to external users.
Silvia Caviaciuti
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