An agreement. A real “Research Pact” capable of uniting the highest institutions, the scientific community and the healthcare system in a shared, long-term strategy. This is the proposal that comes from today’s conference at the Testori Auditorium of Palazzo Lombardia in Milan, which represents an opportunity for discussion in which to talk about the results achieved for the treatment of cancer and define together the priorities to face the challenges of the coming years.
Since 1965, AIRC has continuously supported independent cancer research through a rigorous, transparent and meritocratic model. In 60 years it has invested over 2.7 billion euros, becoming the main private body funding independent oncology research in Italy. In 2026 alone, it allocated 142 million euros to 780 projects and scholarships, involving almost 5,000 researchers in around 100 institutions across the country.
A commitment to the future
“With the path we have started towards a “research pact”, we want to take a step forward compared to the past”
explains Andrea Sironi, President of the AIRC Foundation.
“We have demonstrated that we are able to guarantee constant resources for research and we want to continue to do so. At the same time, we are convinced that we can also contribute to orienting it in a more targeted way towards projects of greater strategic importance for the country. From this perspective, we have laid the foundations so that the Regions, healthcare system and scientific community, together with the Foundation, can converge over time towards a stable and structured collaboration. The path to follow requires a shared vision, clear commitments and continuity over time: conditions on which we are ready to work together starting now”.
The role of Lombardy
Lombardy and Milan play a strategic role in this path, representing one of the most advanced ecosystems in the country in terms of oncology research, clinical capacity, concentration of IRCCS, scientific quality and attraction of resources. A significant part of the scientific excellence supported by AIRC is concentrated here, including IFOM (AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology), a research center of international importance.
In the period 2016-2023, the Foundation allocated over 310 million euros to Lombardy research institutions, financing 2,432 competitive projects and supporting thousands of researchers. A contribution that has consolidated the Region as one of the main European ecosystems in cancer research and treatment.
Equally important is the work done in the last decade to raise awareness among citizens of the value of research and prevention: AIRC involved 51,700 Lombard students with Research Meetings. Added to this is the constant commitment of 4 thousand volunteers from the region who, even on the occasion of the last Research Azalea, animated 745 squares with the aim of increasing awareness and active involvement of the population.
A look at the future
The oncology research ecosystem and its development prospects are at the center of the interventions by Alessandro Fermi, Councilor for University, Research and Innovation of the Lombardy Region, Emanuele Monti, President of the IX Commission for Social Sustainability, Home and Family, Lombardy Region, and Franco Perrone, President of the AIOM Foundation. Together with them Daniele Finocchiaro, CEO of the AIRC Foundation, who underlines the objective of the meeting:
“Looking to the future, AIRC wants to interpret its mission no longer only as the main financier of oncology research but also as a health promoter to improve early diagnosis and strengthen treatment outcomes. A path that we can only build by combining the forces of all the players in the field, strengthening collaboration and building an integrated network capable of enhancing existing skills”.
In the panel “Governance and innovation in oncology research” instead, integrated management models, innovative financing tools and collaborative strategies to strengthen the cancer research system are explored.
Anna Mondino, Scientific Director of the AIRC Foundation, proposes the perspective on the role of AIRC within the research ecosystem, enhancing its strategic vision; Maria Chiara Bonini, Full Professor, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, talks about the experience of the special 5×1000 programs aimed at complex clinical challenges and Alberto Bardelli, Scientific Director of IFOM, presents the Institute’s role as a center of excellence integrated into the AIRC network.
There will also be an area in which the entities most financed by AIRC in Lombardy over time will be discussed. The participation of Fabio Ciceri, Director of the Cancer Center, IRCCS Vita-Salute San Raffaele Hospital, Paolo Corradini, Acting Scientific Director, IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute of Milan, Michela Matteoli, Vice-Rector of Research Humanitas University – Rozzano, Roberto Orecchia, Scientific Director, Department of Radiotherapy and Oncological Imaging, European Institute of Oncology, Giuseppe Remuzzi, Director is expected. Scientific, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research, and Gianluca Vago, Director of the Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology of the University of Milan.
The objective of the panel is to systematize the different institutional and scientific experiences to encourage the development of synergies between universities and research and treatment centers, in a logic of progressive integration and strengthening of the overall governance of the system.
