Background

TEAM WITH LONG EXPERIENCE
The hepatology out-patient unit led by Prof. Dr. Andreas Cerny, internationally renowned specialist in internal medicine and infectious diseases and former president of Swiss Experts in Viral Hepatitis (SEVHep), has been active in Ticino since 1999, first in the Civico Hospital of Lugano and subsequently in the Hepatology Centre of the Clinica Luganese. The clinical environment is accompanied by major research activity.

INDEPENDENT UNIT FOR LIVER DISEASES
In 2013 the Epatocentro Ticino SA was founded as the natural development of the actions carried out in previous years.  Thus, in Italian-speaking Switzerland a highly specialised facility was created for the treatment of liver diseases encompassing a huge team of specialists. The principal headquarters were based in Lugano and a network of out-patient collaborators was created throughout the entire Canton with the aim of bringing doctors closer to patients: doctors are therefore regularly available in the Gastrocentro in Chiasso, the Carità Hospital in Locarno and the Guidicelli practice in Biasca.

CUTTING EDGE FOUNDATION
Research activity was already being carried out in 2000 in the area of liver disease by a clinical research unit. The involvement gradually increased and in recent years it became necessary to make a specific commitment for the development of new therapeutic opportunities and the collection of epidemiological data. The  Clinical Trial Unit, operating since 2007 in the Clinica Luganese, therefore became in July 2013 part of the  Fondazione Epatocentro Ticino, a body which, completely devoted to ongoing education and research, has since 2013 supported on a day-to-day basis the primary activity of the out-patient hepatology unit and the Epatocentro Ticino.