Bridging the Gap Between Discovery and Innovation

Our Translational Research Team is dedicated to transforming groundbreaking scientific discoveries into tangible, real-world solutions that benefit patients, industries, and society. With a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to bridge the gap between basic research and applied innovation, fostering collaboration and driving impactful outcomes.

What is Translational Research?

Translational research is the critical process of turning scientific discoveries from the laboratory into practical applications, such as new therapies, medical devices, or industrial innovations. By bridging the divide between theoretical knowledge and actionable solutions, translational research accelerates the delivery of innovations to those who need them most.

Why is Translational Research Important?

  • Improving Lives: It ensures that advancements in science reach patients, consumers, and industries faster.
  • Driving Collaboration: It brings together researchers, clinicians, engineers, and other experts to solve complex challenges.
  • Fueling Innovation: It fosters creativity and innovation by applying cutting-edge science to real-world problems.
  • Enhancing Efficiency: It reduces the time from discovery to implementation, maximizing the impact of research investments.

Meet the Team

Our Translational Research Team is composed of passionate scientists, engineers, clinicians, nurses and project managers committed to making a difference. Together, we bring a wealth of expertise and a shared vision for innovation.

Lana Kandalaft

Chief of Clinical and Translational Research
LKandalaft@swissmedical.net

Laetitia Rossier

Director of clinical trial unit
LRossier@genolier.net

Michele Graciotti

Director of clinical development
MGraciotti@genolier.net

Tiia Snäkä

tsnaekae@genolier.net

Miriam Hernandez Bailon

mhernandez@genolier.net

Current Projects

Our team is actively working on several exciting initiatives that exemplify the power of translational research:

1. Oncology-Focused Clinical Trials Platform

The Center is developing an integrated platform to conduct Phase I, II, and III clinical trials, starting with a strong focus on oncology at the Genolier Clinic. The initiative aims to expand into other therapeutic indications and hospitals across the Swiss Medical Network, ensuring broader patient access to cutting-edge treatments.

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2. Clinical Development and Sponsor Office

A dedicated office is being established to empower physicians within the network to transform their innovative ideas into investigator-initiated studies, fostering a culture of translational research and advancing novel medical solutions.

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3. Personalised Cancer Vaccination Programme 

A pioneering programme is being launched at the Clinique de Genolier to provide cancer patients with personalised vaccines. This program will complement existing standard-of-care treatments, offering innovative therapeutic options to enhance patient outcomes.

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Clinical Trials

Swiss Medical Network is conducting clinical trials in Clinique de Genolier and in Clinique Générale-Beaulieu. Please find more details on recruiting studies below:

Breast Cancer

A prospective, non-interventional study (NIS) with trastuzumab deruxtecan for patients with HER2-(ultra)low expressing unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer accompanied by a disease registry of patients treated with conventional chemotherapy (DESTINY)

Indication: Breast Cancer

Principal Investigator: Dr Chevallier

Site(s): Clinique Générale-Beaulieu

Sponsor: Daiichi Sankyo Europe

Study Details: NCT05945732

 

A Phase 3, Randomized, Open-label, Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Adjuvant MK-2870 in Combination with Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Versus Treatment of Physician’s Choice (TPC) in Participants With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Who Received Neoadjuvant Therapy and Did Not Achieve a Pathological Complete Response (pCR) at Surgery (MK-2870-012)

Indication: Breast Cancer

Principal Investigator: Dr Chevallier

Site(s): Clinique Générale-Beaulieu

Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme

Study Details: NCT06393374

 

Targeting cancer stem cells with NEOadjuvant DOXYcycline in patients with early ER+/HER2- breast cancer. A prospective, multicenter, single arm, open label phase II trial (NEODOXy, SAKK 21/23)

Indication: Breast Cancer

Principal Investigator: Dr Kohlik

Site(s): Clinique Générale-Beaulieu and Clinique de Genolier

Sponsor: Swiss Cancer Institute

Study Details: NCT06452394

 

 

Axillary radiotherapy or axillary lymph node dissection in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer undergoing upfront tailored axillary surgery: An international, randomized superiority trial (NOAX)

Indication: Breast Cancer

Principal Investigator(s): Dr Kohlik

Site(s): Clinique Générale-Beaulieu and Clinique de Genolier

Sponsor: University Hospital Basel

Study Details: NCT07140172

 

Intelligent Vacuum Assisted Biopsy Immediately Before Surgery As an Intra- or Pre-Operative Surrogate for Patient Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer (VISION I)

Indication: Breast Cancer

Principal Investigator: Dr Kohlik

Site(s): Clinique Générale-Beaulieu and Clinique de Genolier

Sponsor: Hirslanden

Study Details: NCT04289935

Gastric and Esophageal Cancer

Assessing physicians and cancer patients' preferences for quality of life (QoL) and length of life (LoL) in oncology: A study in gastric and esophageal cancer (SAKK 89/24)

Indication: Gastric and Esophageal Cancer

Principal Investigator: Dr Fuhrmann

Site(s): Clinique Générale-Beaulieu and Clinique de Genolier

Sponsor: Swiss Cancer Institute

Study Details: SAKK 89/24 | Swiss Cancer Institute

The Swiss Medical Network Translational Research Unit collaborates with leading research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, and regulatory bodies to ensure the rapid and safe deployment of new medical interventions. In addition our synergies with Genolier Innovation Hub, European Institute of Oncology, and Swiss-based research entities foster an ecosystem where innovation meets real-world and patient-centered application.

Clinical research in private hospitals: innovation directly for our patients

Personalised cancer vaccines: New strategies in cancer therapy

Blood-Cleansing Method Tested as Cancer Vaccine – Insight from Swiss Medical Network’s Lana Kandalaft

Translational research within the Swiss Medical Network

Can Vaccines Prevent Cancer? A New Frontier in Science

Prof. Dr. Lana Kandalaft on the The McKay Interview podcast: How Vaccines Could Transform Cancer Treatment

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