20.04.2026

Clinical Research Infrastructure in Private Hospitals: A Perspective

The expansion of clinical research beyond academic hospitals into private hospitals is reshaping the way new therapies are tested and implemented. Traditionally, university and public hospitals have been the primary drivers of clinical research, yet private hospitals are increasingly positioned to contribute meaningfully to this landscape.

This perspective published by Laetitia Rossier, Tiia Snäkä, Michele Graciotti, Miriam Hernandez, Oscar Matzinger, Jacques Bernier, and Lana Kandalaft in the Journal of Translation Medicine 1 explores the opportunities and complexities of establishing a clinical trial unit within a private setting, highlighting strategies to conduct innovative studies and deliver high-quality, patient-centered research.

Laetitia Rossier

Director of clinical trial unit

LRossier@genolier.net

Tiia Snäkä

tsnaekae@genolier.net

Michele Graciotti

Director of clinical development

MGraciotti@genolier.net

Miriam Hernandez Bailon

mhernandez@genolier.net

Prof. Dr. med. Oscar Matzinger

Chief Medical Officer

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Prof Dr Oscar Matzinger has been a member of the Executive Board of Swiss Medical Network since 2025 and is responsible for Medical Affairs and Coordination. He is Medical Director of Radio-Oncology within the group and plays a key role in the strategic development of medical excellence across the network.

Alongside his leadership role, Prof. Matzinger is Professor of Practice at ETH Zürich, reflecting his strong commitment to education and innovation at the interface of clinical medicine and academic research.

He is also actively engaged in national cancer care initiatives, serving as President of the Vaud League Against Cancer and as Vice President of the Swiss Society of Radiation Oncology.

With a long-standing expertise in radiation oncology and clinical leadership, Prof. Matzinger combines medical, academic, and organisational responsibilities to advance patient care and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. med. Jacques Bernier

Chief Science Officer

Lana Kandalaft

Chief of Clinical and Translational Research

LKandalaft@swissmedical.net

While private hospitals may face initial challenges related to infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance, they offer important advantages, including more rapid decision-making, streamlined administrative pathways, and efficiency in initiating and conducting studies, all while adhering to the same regulatory requirements.

In this paper, clinical research experts examine the practical considerations for establishing clinical trials in private healthcare settings. Specifically, they explore the core components of clinical research infrastructure required for successful implementation (Fig. 1), the operational and regulatory challenges involved, and the potential advantages for both patients and providers.

Particular attention is given to the context of personalized medicine, where the rapid evolution of highly targeted and complex therapeutic approaches demands more agile research models.

Expanding trial activity into private clinical practice may therefore represent not only a strategic opportunity but also an essential step to ensure that advances in translational research are delivered efficiently and equitably to patients.

In conclusion, by positioning themselves as complementary partners to academic institutions, private hospitals can provide efficient and fast paced environments for industry-sponsored trials, ultimately enriching the broader research ecosystem. Most importantly, these developments enable the realization of personalized medicine, where cutting-edge, individualized therapies, particularly in oncology, can be directly tailored and delivered to patients, transforming the promise of precision medicine into real clinical outcomes.

Reference

Rossier L, Snäkä T, Graciotti M, et al. Clinical research in private hospitals: a perspective. J Transl Med. 2026;24:151. doi:10.1186/s12967-025-07542-8

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