The Swiss Cancer Centre Léman receives the BioAlps Academia Award 2024
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The BioAlps Awards ceremony took place on 21 November 2024 at the University of Fribourg in front about 250 key players from the Swiss Health Valley, at the end of the BioAlps Networking Day. The Swiss Cancer Center Léman was awarded the BioAlps Academia Award 2024. Prof. George Coukos, Prof. Olivier Michielin and Prof. Pierre-Yves Dietrich received the trophy with Mrs Catherine Labouchère former President and honorary member of the ISREC Foundation.
The Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL) is a centre of excellence in oncology research. It stands out for its unique collaboration between prestigious institutions such as the University of Lausanne (UNIL), the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and the University of Geneva (UNIGE). This alliance integrates fundamental, translational and clinical approaches to accelerate progress in oncology.
One of its flagships is the AGORA centre, an ultra-modern infrastructure that facilitates exchanges between researchers thanks to its open architecture and advanced technological platforms, such as biomedical imaging and bioinformatics. The centre is the focal point for more than 80 teams working on innovative themes such as immunotherapy and precision medicine.
The SCCL also plays a key role in the Swiss Personalised Medicine Network, harmonising data collection processes and promoting collaborative clinical trials. These efforts have a direct impact on patients by improving the precision of treatments and opening up new therapeutic perspectives.
“The Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL) is an outstanding example of collaboration between different academic institutions, says Mrs Catherine Labouchère, former President and honorary member of the ISREC Foundation.
Prof. Pierre-Yves Dietrich, Prof. George Coukos and Prof. Olivier Michielin say:
“Receiving the BioAlps Academia Prize is an honour that profoundly pleases the entire team at the Swiss Cancer Center Leman. This award underlines our commitment to cancer research and care in the heart of French-speaking Switzerland. For a decade, our mission has been to build a dynamic interdisciplinary community, where scientists, bioengineers and clinicians from our region converge to advance cancer diagnosis and therapy. This award is a proud encouragement to us to continue our efforts to improve the lives of patients and to train the next generation of leaders in oncology, while continuing to place French-speaking Switzerland at the forefront of scientific excellence.”
About BioAlps
BioAlps is the life sciences cluster for Western Switzerland. The association, which was set up in 2003, is supported by 15 academic institutions in French-speaking Switzerland and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. Its mission is to facilitate exchanges, create synergies and promote innovation between the players in the Swiss Health Valley: universities, colleges, hospitals, authorities, businesses, scientists, research centres, start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurship support organisations, etc.
The BioAlps Awards have been presented since 2008. In 2023, the Industry Prize was awarded to Dr Igor Fisch and Dr Nicolas Mermod, co-founders of Selexis (now KBI Biopharma). The Academy Prize was awarded to Prof. Hervé Bourlard, former Director of Idiap. The Neuchâtel site of Japanese biotech company Takeda was awarded the BioAlps Industry Award 2024.
📸 From left to right : Mrs Catherine Labouchère, former President and honorary member of the ISREC Foundation, Prof. George Coukos, Prof. Olivier Michielin, Prof. Pierre-Yves Dietrich from Swiss Cancer Center Leman, and Prof. Antoine Geissbuhler, BioAlps’ President and Dean of Geneva Faculty of Medicine.
Sandra Ansanay-Alex
Communication & Event Manager
BioAlps Association
Avenue de Sécheron 15
1202 Geneva
+ 41 78 264 84 14
sandra.ansanay@bioalps.org