Sitem-insel chose Bern as its base because of its outstanding credentials as a hub for translational medicine. Inselspital in Bern is a highly regarded center of excellence in clinical research that has treated the highest number of patients of any hospital in Switzerland since it merged with the hospital network Spital Netz Bern.
World-class medicine is happening in Bern – in many different academic, practical, and research fields. It’s taking place across various institutions associated with translational medicine, such as the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, the Institute for Surgical Technology and Biomechanics, and the University of Bern’s National Centres of Competence, Transcure and RNA and Disease.
From research to practice
sitem-insel LTd’s mission is to promote innovation in medicine. In order for innovation to lead to value creation, the system of knowledge must be optimally linked to the system of entrepreneurship. For this reason, sitem-insel is organized as a public/private partnership institution.
In addition to the Department of Clinical Research, the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, and the Institute for Surgical Technology and Biomedics, the University of Bern is home to two National Centers of Competence in Research with relevance to translational medicine financed by SNF: “Transcure” and “RNA and Disease.” The University of Bern has an outstanding international Reputation.
Translational medicine in ORs thanks to multidisciplinary team
“This first Robotic Cochlea Implantation is the result of a decade of multidisciplinary research by a team of biomedical engineers, neuroradiologists, neurologists, audiologists, allied health professionals and surgeons,” says Prof Marco Caversaccio of the Department of ORL, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern. The technology underwent rigorous technical and laboratory testing stages to ensure patient safety that would allow the translation of such complex technology from the lab into the operation room.
“Our results encourage us that we have addressed many of the challenges of using a robot for cochlear implantation surgery,” Caversaccio adds. Follow-on developments including drug delivery to the inner ear are being planned. These translational biomedical engineering projects will involve support through the Swiss Insitute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine – sitem-insel AG.
Translation process
