The beginnings and early years

The initiative for establishing a scientific research institute gained momentum following a radio interview by Giovanni Orelli, which underscored the necessity for a comprehensive University that included a School of Science. The idea quickly materialized during a Ray Charles concert in Bellinzona, where Noseda and Franco Cavalli discussed the project with Mayor Paolo Agustoni. The mayor informed him of a vacant building, Casa Fabrizia, which became instrumental for the institute’s establishment. The initial enthusiasm was palpable, and with city support, an agreement was reached with the property owners. Among the promoting group was Marco Baggiolini, then newly appointed president of the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) and director of the prestigious Theodor Kocher Institute at the University of Bern. His experience and enthusiasm provided positive momentum for the project’s future.

Another significant endorsement came from Nobel Laureate Prof. Werner Arber, who evaluated the project for potential federal funding. The strategic decision to focus from the outset on immunology, was strongly influenced by Baggiolini. In 1996, while leading the Theodor Kocher Institute, he recognized the importance of studying human immunology, particularly concerning infectious and inflammatory diseases. The promoters recognized the need for strong leadership early on and, following Baggiolini’s suggestion, chose Antonio Lanzavecchia, an immunologist renowned for his research on antigen presentation and dendritic cells, as director of the institute. The decision to focus on human immunology has proven prescient as IRB’s advancements over 25 years have demonstrated its foundational significance.

On September 28, 2000, the institute was inaugurated with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by Georges Streichenberg from the Helmut Horten Foundation. This event symbolized not just an institutional milestone but also a new chapter in biomedical research in Bellinzona. Mayor Agustoni and subsequent mayors Brenno Martignoni and Mario Branda were instrumental in securing strong local support for the IRB. Since the beginning, Carlo Maggini from Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC) provided essential operational support while Jean-Claude Piffaretti contributed valuable advice on laboratory infrastructure planning. Moreover, Claudio Marone established an award for young researchers through Fondazione Balli. The City of Bellinzona and Canton Ticino provided vital funding, recognizing the IRB’s strategic importance. Following Lanzavecchia’s appointment, three other distinguished scholars—Marcus Thelen, Federica Sallusto, and Mariagrazia Uguccioni—joined him in Bellinzona, enriching its research capabilities.

As activities commenced at Casa Fabrizia, it became evident that IRB’s research quality would attract attention and recognition from the international scientific community.

A rapid development

The IRB quickly integrated into national and international academic networks. In 2008, it established a partnership with the Federal Polytechnic of Zurich (ETH), facilitating researcher and student exchanges. Additionally, it became a founding member of the Swiss Vaccine Research Institute (SVRI), supported by both the Swiss government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and was affiliated to the USI, contributing to the establishment of the USI’s Faculty of biomedical sciences. Alongside its collaborations with other institutions like Humabs – an IRB startup now part of American Vir Biotechnology – the IRB has played a vital role in fostering biomedical research in Bellinzona. Under the guidance of Lanzavecchia, IRB expanded its focus beyond immunology to include cell biology, DNA repair mechanisms, rare diseases and computational biology – further solidifying its reputation as a leading biomedical research institution.

Under the leadership of Gabriele Gendotti, IRB Foundation president since 2012, the IRB assumed a more structured governance with a respectful focus on academic and compliance rules. It was possible to increase the critical mass of researchers, optimize income from foundations and private benefactors, and consolidate recurring public contributions from the federal and cantonal governments. Thanks to the high quality of research activities, it was also possible to obtain numerous national and international competitive grants. With the construction of modern laboratories in the new building in via Francesco Chiesa, respecting the cost estimates, a great step forward was made both at the organizational and management level, and with regard to sharing services and obtaining technologically advanced equipment. All this made possible the spontaneous birth of the Bios+ Association (Bellinzona institutes of science), with IRB and the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR) as members, and the involvement of the Laboratories of Translational Research of the Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (LRT-EOC). Today it is thus possible to make better use of and coordinate activities within the new building, as well as to create new synergies at the scientific level as well.

With a new director since 2020 – Davide Robbiani – the Institute continues its development. The new research headquarters in via Francesco Chiesa became home also to the IOR and to the LTR-EOC: most life sciences research of Italian-speaking Switzerland is now under the same roof. Strategic partnerships with Rockefeller University (New York) for infectious disease research, and with Humanitas University (Milan) for boosting research on autoimmunity and immune mediated diseases. were sealed. A new master program together with USI is under construction, a new student house is at the horizon, and we are recruiting young talent from top academic institutions to lead three newly established laboratories.

With the conviction of the importance of basic science as a fundament upon which to build transformative discoveries that may one day make a difference for the patients, the IRB looks at the future by embracing its mission of advancing science for the benefit of human health.

As we start celebrating the 25^th anniversary, we are reminded that this adventure was possible thanks to many. Our deep gratitude goes to past and present members of the IRB Foundation Council, to the scientists that—with their enthusiasm, resilience and dedication—have and are contributing to the advancement of knowledge, and to the many individuals, families and foundations who, in addition to the City of Bellinzona, Canton Ticino and Swiss Confederation, are accompanying us on this journey, for their trust in our Institute and for their continued support of its development.