What is Human Medicine Research and Innovation Day?

It is an annual event organized by EoC, USI, SUPSI, IRB and IOR to present the results of medical research in Ticino. Now in its 15th edition, it welcomes over 300 participants and hosts more than 200 scientific contributions ranging from basic research to clinical, nursing and computational research. The event takes place on 4 September at the East Campus of the Università della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano.

What are the strongest research sectors in Ticino?

Consolidated areas include oncology, cardiology, neurology, immunology, and translational research. In recent years, artificial intelligence applied to medicine is growing significantly, which is accelerating the development of new therapies and diagnostic methodologies in various fields of biomedicine.

How does medical research benefit Swiss patients?

Research creates a culture of updating to the latest scientific evidence within hospitals. The time between laboratory discovery and clinical application has been reduced thanks to improved knowledge of biology, more accurate selection of suitable patients, new technologies and parallel processes. This means earlier access to new drugs, diagnostic technologies and innovative therapies for patients in Switzerland.

Which organizations support biomedical research in Ticino?

The ecosystem includes the EoC (Cantonal Hospital Authority), the USI (University of Italian Switzerland), the IRB (Research Institute in Biomedicine), the IOR (Oncological Institute of Radiotherapy) and the SUPSI (Professional University School of Italian Switzerland). This integrated network connects academic research, clinical research and professional training, creating an ecosystem conducive to medical innovation.

Why does medical research create skilled jobs?

Investing in biomedical research attracts high-level professionals from other regions of Switzerland and the world, bringing skills that benefit patients and the territory. In addition, research generates employment opportunities in the diagnostic, pharmacological, experimental and computational clinical fields, helping to develop a territorial economy based on innovation and specialized knowledge.

Medical research in Ticino: from the laboratory to the patient

By Redazione Frontaliere Ticino (AI-generated text) · Published on 4 September 2026

Swiss biomedical research laboratory with scientists working on biological samples and medical innovation

The USI Research Day in Lugano: 200 scientific contributions on how innovation accelerates the path from discovery to treatment.

Context

In brief

Research Day on September 4 in Lugano: 200+ scientific contributions
Medical research accelerates access to innovative treatments and therapies
EOC, USI, SUPSI, IRB: Ticino attracts talents from Switzerland and the world
Artificial intelligence applied to medicine: the fastest-growing sector

Key facts

What: Research and Innovation Day in Human Medicine of Italian Switzerland
When: September 4, 2026 (15th edition)
Where: USI East Campus, Lugano
Who: EOC, USI, SUPSI, IRB, IOR
Contributions: Over 200 scientific abstracts presented
Participants: Approximately 300+ attendees on average
Strong sectors: Oncology, cardiology, neurology, immunology

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On September 4, the Research and Innovation Day in Human Medicine of Italian Switzerland returns to the USI East Campus in Lugano, marking its fifteenth edition. Over 200 scientific contributions will highlight the present and future of medicine in the canton, with more than 300 participants expected. This event summarizes a now-established reality: in Switzerland, and particularly in Ticino, medical research determines timely access to innovative treatments.

"Having a hospital where research is conducted can mean accessing a new drug, diagnostic technology, or innovative therapy sooner," explains Professor Alessandro Ceschi, head of the Medical Training and Research Area at EOC. "Conducting research creates a culture within a hospital of staying updated with the latest evidence, basing decisions on efficacy proofs, and constantly questioning how to treat patients better."

Acceleration from the laboratory to the patient

The cycle separating laboratory discovery from clinical treatment has significantly shortened in recent years. Ceschi highlights that this acceleration is made possible by three key factors: a deeper understanding of biology and diseases, which allows for more precise therapeutic targets; the ability to accurately select the type of patient suitable for that treatment; and new technologies and more efficient processes. "In the past, various steps, even at the regulatory authority level, were done one after the other. Today, more processes are carried out in parallel, which greatly shortens the timelines," Ceschi notes.

Among the most established research sectors in the canton are oncology, cardiology, and neurology, as well as immunology and translational research. A field poised for significant growth is artificial intelligence applied to medicine. "It is gaining traction in various areas and accelerating the development of new therapies and diagnostic methodologies," observes Ceschi. This virtuous connection between basic research and clinical application exactly represents the value that the Research Day aims to highlight: transforming scientific discoveries into concrete benefits for Swiss patients.

Operational details

The Ticino research ecosystem

Ticino has a solid institutional network for biomedical research. In addition to the EoC (Cantonal Hospital Authority), which provides the clinical structure, there are the University of Italian Switzerland (USI) with its Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, the Research Institute in Biomedicine (IRB), the Oncological Institute of Radiotherapy (IOR) and the Professional University School of Italian Switzerland (SUPSI). This ecosystem is not only a strategic value for local patients, but also a powerful tool for attracting qualified talent.

"Being able to attract doctors and other high-value professionals from other regions of Switzerland or the world means bringing skills here that then benefit patients," continues Ceschi. The international reputation of Ticino research did not come from nothing: behind it there is a project built over the years, as recalled by Greta Guarda, deputy dean of the USI Faculty of Biomedical Sciences. "A precedent has been created that showed that it is possible to do high-level research in Ticino. Today, so many people are drawn to these very examples.” Among the examples that Guarda cites is Antonio Lanzavecchia, who chose Bellinzona to develop world-class research, thus establishing a model that continues to inspire researchers and investors.

International and local collaboration networks

Ticino research does not operate in isolation, but

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Key points

Investing in research: a political decision

According to Ceschi, "financing research is also a forward-looking political decision." Investing in biomedicine means not only improving the quality of care but also attracting skills and creating qualified jobs in the territory. "Our interest as a hospital is to ensure that patients can benefit more quickly from the most effective and safe therapies."

The statement emphasizes how medical research generates benefits that go beyond the healthcare field: specialized employment, territorial prestige, ability to retain and attract talent. However, as Guarda reminds us, research requires a perspective of continuity. "Research and the academic world develop over longer periods than a typical political term. Patience and foresight are needed." This means that public decision-makers must understand how today's investments in research will produce employment, health, and economic benefits over time spans of 5-10 years, not just over a legislative term.

Research Day: agenda and awards

The event on September 4 will welcome over 300 participants and present more than 200 scientific contributions from Italian Switzerland. The event is structured to facilitate dialogue between researchers, clinicians, nurses, and computational professionals. At the end of the day, three significant awards will be presented:

Dick Marty Award: awarded for the best publication in oncology, recognizing excellence in a key sector for Ticino
Fidinam Fellowship: funds a research experience abroad, allowing Ticino researchers to acquire international skills and bring them back to the territory
Awards for the best scientific presentations: encourage young researchers to disseminate their results

This structure of awards and recognitions illustrates how the Ticino research system is oriented not only towards scientific production but also towards the training of new talents, the circulation of skills, and integration with the global scientific community. For those interested in job opportunities in the biomedical research sector, consulting specialized selection platforms allows you to discover open positions at research centers, university hospitals, and Swiss institutes in the diagnostic, pharmacological, and experimental clinical fields.

Source: tio.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Human Medicine Research and Innovation Day?: It is an annual event organized by EoC, USI, SUPSI, IRB and IOR to present the results of medical research in Ticino. Now in its 15th edition, it welcomes over 300 participants and hosts more than 200 scientific contributions ranging from basic research to clinical, nursing and computational research. The event takes place on 4 September at the East Campus of the Università della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano.
What are the strongest research sectors in Ticino?: Consolidated areas include oncology, cardiology, neurology, immunology, and translational research. In recent years, artificial intelligence applied to medicine is growing significantly, which is accelerating the development of new therapies and diagnostic methodologies in various fields of biomedicine.
How does medical research benefit Swiss patients?: Research creates a culture of updating to the latest scientific evidence within hospitals. The time between laboratory discovery and clinical application has been reduced thanks to improved knowledge of biology, more accurate selection of suitable patients, new technologies and parallel processes. This means earlier access to new drugs, diagnostic technologies and innovative therapies for patients in Switzerland.
Which organizations support biomedical research in Ticino?: The ecosystem includes the EoC (Cantonal Hospital Authority), the USI (University of Italian Switzerland), the IRB (Research Institute in Biomedicine), the IOR (Oncological Institute of Radiotherapy) and the SUPSI (Professional University School of Italian Switzerland). This integrated network connects academic research, clinical research and professional training, creating an ecosystem conducive to medical innovation.
Why does medical research create skilled jobs?: Investing in biomedical research attracts high-level professionals from other regions of Switzerland and the world, bringing skills that benefit patients and the territory. In addition, research generates employment opportunities in the diagnostic, pharmacological, experimental and computational clinical fields, helping to develop a territorial economy based on innovation and specialized knowledge.