Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin has launched six new National Centres of Competence in Research covering strategic areas such as medicine, climate, physics and chemistry. The 12-year NCCR “Children & Cancer” will receive around CHF 17 million in federal funding during the first funding period 2026–2029. Total funding – jointly provided by the federal government and the host institutions – amounts to approximately CHF 34 million. The research centre brings together the university children’s hospitals in Zurich and Lausanne with over 30 research groups from different disciplines. SPOG is integrated as a central partner.
New Perspectives for Children and Adolescents with Cancer
The research programme consolidates national excellence in order to develop more effective and gentler therapies for young patients. A key focus is building advanced diagnostic platforms, especially in multimodal molecular diagnostics, giving children and adolescents nationwide access to highly precise diagnoses and more personalised treatment approaches.
In addition, innovative therapeutic strategies will be explored, such as targeted modulation of tumour metabolism and harnessing the immune system. These measures lay the foundation for treatment approaches that are even more effective, gentler and more patient-friendly.
“The NCCR ‘Children & Cancer’ opens up new perspectives for children and adolescents with cancer in Switzerland. With cutting-edge diagnostics and innovative therapeutic approaches, we aim to improve cure rates, reduce side effects and minimise long-term consequences,” says Prof. Raffaele Renella, Head of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology at CHUV, Co-Director of the NCCR “Children & Cancer” and SPOG Board member.
Strategic Strengthening of Switzerland as a Research Hub
For the Swiss research landscape, the NCCR represents a strategic strengthening. It positions Switzerland as a leading international partner in paediatric oncology and enables participation in major consortia in Europe, the USA and Asia, where rare diseases require high case numbers for robust research.
“With this National Centre of Competence in Research, we are sustainably strengthening Switzerland’s international position in paediatric oncology. The 12-year horizon lays the foundations for a national centre of excellence that connects research, innovation and clinical care,” emphasises Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourquin, Chief Physician and Head of Oncology at the University Children’s Hospital Zurich and Co-Director of the NCCR. At the same time, the programme promotes technology transfer, industry partnerships and Switzerland’s attractiveness for highly qualified professionals.
Importance for SPOG and Its Members
For SPOG, the NCCR means deeper national research integration. As a key clinical partner, SPOG is embedded in the network structure and contributes significantly to the clinical translation of research findings into practice.
This opens access for SPOG members to expanded research infrastructures, innovative studies, more precise diagnostic platforms and international collaborations.
SPOG supports the NCCR especially in the area of clinical trials and patient access, including the recruitment and care of patients in clinical trials (e.g., the KidsCan-01 trial), provision of high-quality clinical data and national networking between treatment centres. Involvement of patients and families and transparent communication about paediatric oncology research are also core priorities.
The National Center of Competence in Research “Children & Cancer” is thus an important step towards the sustainable development of paediatric oncology in Switzerland. SPOG looks forward to close cooperation with all partner institutions.
