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LIFE SCIENCES COMPETENCE CENTER

The Life Sciences Competence Center is dedicated to fostering innovation and advancing research in the biomedical field. We are committed to developing sustainable solutions and fostering collaborations between academic and industrial partners. Our mission is to provide a valuable growth opportunity for both local and international companies operating in the industry, granting them access to cutting-edge skills, state-of-the-art technologies, and top-notch infrastructure.

VALUE PROPOSITION

We aim to develop new R&D platforms to improve patients’ lifes. We offer our partners and members:

A unique platform to translate basic research into applied R&D, specifically designed for pre-clinical drug testing on human 3D complex tissues in-vitro

An innovative environment for the collaborative development of in-vitro models tailored for personalized medicine applications

Access to cutting-edge biofabrication labs integrated into the Bellinzona Life Sciences cluster

OUR RESEARCH

FOCUS ON BIOFABRICATION

As a first technology, in vitro tests are being developed using “organ-on-a-chip” technology, which enables preclinical testing using human cells, with the ultimate goal of reducing reliance on animal models.

This research project is led by Prof. Matteo Moretti (EOC), whose team is developing advanced 3D models based on human cells, closely mimicking human physiology. The potential applications of this technology encompass drug discovery, drug repurposing, bioavailability enhancement, and personalized medicine.

Prof. Matteo Moretti | © Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino

REASONS WHY

WHY DO WE NEED NEW TECHNOLOGIES?

Animal studies are not 100% predictive

Many products fail in clinical trials due to unexpected toxicity or insufficient pharmacological activity

Drug development is typically an extensive and expensive process, taking over a decade and costing billions of CHF

Regulatory authorities are urging the development of alternative methods that better simulate human physiology and enhance the validity of in vitro trials

MEMBERS

The Life Sciences Competence Center is an association led by an Executive Committee, comprising representatives from various institutions and companies operating in the field and chaired by Giorgio Calderari.

Our members are institutions, universities, corporate associations, and leading companies in the biotech industry.

© Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino

FUTURE OPERATIVE SITE

In the future, our Competence Center will be headquartered in Bellinzona, where a thriving hub of excellence in the life sciences is taking shape. Our intended location for laboratories and offices is the fourth floor of the former IRB building. A feasibility study has already highlighted the suitability of these spaces for a Biofabrication Lab, meeting ISO8 and BSL 2 standards, with necessary infrastructure refurbishment. The City of Bellinzona decided to proceed, confirming the credit for the refurbishment works set to commence in early 2024.

While waiting for the completion of our new facilities, we are currently based at the Bios+ laboratories in Bellinzona.

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