Ecosistema-insubre transfrontaliero per start up e imprese d’eccellenza nell’ambito delle staminali per la medicina rigenerativa

The project aims to develop a cross-border innovation ecosystem focused on regenerative medicine using stem cells, leveraging scientific, clinical, and entrepreneurial excellence in the cooperation area between Canton Ticino, Province of Varese, and Province of Novara. Its main objective is to support the creation and growth of innovative start-ups and SMEs capable of generating high-impact technological, social, and health solutions. The global stem cell market is valued at approximately $17.02 billion in 2024 and will reach $55.75 billion in 2032, with a CAGR of 16.3%. The development of therapies using stem cells requires highly specialized skills and dedicated facilities. Furthermore, their production requires the use of expensive components, currently produced with traditional methods, and of non-European origin. The skills and facilities necessary for the implementation of sustainable production procedures are individually present in the Insubric region, but currently not connected to each other. By promoting the synergistic use of the different skills, the creation of the SUST-STAM platform would place the Insubric region at competitive levels with more renowned areas and would allow: • the development of new stem cell-based therapies; • the creation of innovative start-ups capable of developing new therapies and new sustainable production systems of components for the production of stem cells; • the continuous and highly specialized training of researchers in the stem cell sector and related biotechnological applications; • the development of procedures, contacts and fundamental rules for future projects. These objectives cannot be efficiently achieved at the national or regional level alone: the required resources, skills, and infrastructures are distributed between the two countries and can only be fully leveraged through joint action. Partnership Structure: Italy: • University of Insubria (UNINSUBRIA) • University of Eastern Piedmont (UNIPO) • Insubric Institute for Life Research Foundation (FIIRV) • HETA RES Srl Switzerland: • Swiss Stem Cell Foundation (SSCF) • Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC) • SUPSI – University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland The partners bring together academic, clinical, industrial, and innovation support expertise, creating an integrated value chain to support biotech solutions from research to market. Project Structure The project includes: • Selection of start-ups and business ideas with strong potential in regenerative medicine; • Access to shared infrastructures (labs, bioreactors, cleanrooms, testing spaces); • Technological and clinical validation support; • Business modelling and investor matchmaking services; • Development of a sustainable cross-border cooperation model and capitalization of results. The SUST-STAM approach is highly innovative for its particular attention to i) interdisciplinarity with translational objectives, ii) transversal skills, with a strong focus on industrial aspects, iii) support to innovative start-ups that will want to enter this sector. The combined acquisition of these skills will increase the possibility of employment of trained personnel and the development of start-ups. Furthermore, the network created will constitute the basis of a technological platform to be exploited and expanded even beyond the end of the InterReg project. Benefits of the Cross-Border Approach The joint cross-border approach allows: • Exploitation of unique synergies between academic and clinical expertise not replicable within individual territories; • Comprehensive, high-quality support for companies developing and validating new products; • Overcoming institutional and regulatory fragmentation, fostering a favorable environment for innovation and growth; • Maximizing local human capital, creating opportunities for young researchers and entrepreneurs. The cross-border area will benefit from increased cohesion, attraction of investment, and the creation of highly skilled jobs in knowledge-intensive sectors. Conclusion The project proposes a replicable model of cross-border cooperation, designed to create economic, scientific, and social value. Cooperation between Italy and Switzerland enables the activation of complete and competitive innovation chains, delivering concrete impact in line with the objectives of the INTERREG VI-A Programme and the priorities of the EUSALP macroregional strategy.