IREM Celebrates 10 Years of Discovery, Clinical Translation and Innovation
On 10 September 2026, the Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM) at the University of Zurich celebrated its 10-year anniversary together with current and former colleagues, partners and representatives of the University of Zurich. The anniversary marked a decade of scientific discovery, translation and collaboration and offered an opportunity to reflect on IREM’s development and achievements over its first ten years.
Founded in 2016, IREM was established with the ambition to bridge fundamental scientific discovery and clinical application, bringing regenerative medicine from bench to bedside. Over the past decade, the institute has brought together complementary expertise across stem cell biology, cell and tissue engineering, gene and cell therapy, and neurodegeneration, connecting fundamental and translational research with clinical application and teaching.
Entrepreneurship has also been part of IREM’s translational approach from the beginning. Established alongside IREM in 2016, the BioEntrepreneurship & Innovation (BEI) program equips life scientists with entrepreneurial skills and perspectives to explore pathways from research towards application.
Along the way, new research areas, enabling technologies and programs have become part of the IREM ecosystem. These include the iPSCore facility, which provides expertise and technologies for induced pluripotent stem cell research and supports research across disciplines.
International collaborations have also played an important role in IREM's development, including its long-standing partnership with Kyoto University and the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), as well as a growing network of academic, clinical and translational partners in Switzerland and around the world.
Celebrating a decade
The anniversary event provided an opportunity to reflect on IREM's development over the past decade and exchange perspectives on the future of regenerative medicine.
Following welcoming words by Prof. Frank Rühli, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, keynote speaker Prof. Andre Terzic of Mayo Clinic shared his perspective on the evolution and future potential of regenerative medicine.
IREM Director Prof. Simon P. Hoerstrup looked back on ten years of development at the institute, highlighting key milestones and achievements in scientific discovery, translational research and clinical application. His overview also reflected how IREM has grown and evolved over the past decade into the interdisciplinary institute it is today, and recognized the many people whose work and commitment have contributed to this journey.
A special video message from Nobel laureate Prof. Shinya Yamanaka, founder of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University, marked another highlight of the celebration. The long-standing collaboration between CiRA and IREM has contributed significantly to IREM’s international network and iPSC research activities.
The program also highlighted the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in translating scientific discoveries into impact. Dr. Andreea Cretu reflected on ten years of the BioEntrepreneurship & Innovation (BEI) program and how it equips life scientists with entrepreneurial skills to explore pathways from research to application – whether by founding ventures, moving into industry and innovation roles, or applying entrepreneurial thinking within academia.
A panel discussion moderated by Prof. Simon P. Hoerstrup brought together Prof. Andre Terzic, Prof. Janine Reichenbach, Prof. Maximilian Y. Emmert, Dr. Andreea Cretu and Prof. Frank Rühli, representing perspectives from regenerative medicine, clinical translation, entrepreneurship and academic medicine. The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges of translating regenerative medicine towards patient benefit, the role of universities in creating supportive translational ecosystems, and how research, clinical medicine and entrepreneurship can work together to advance the field.
The formal program concluded with closing words from UZH Vice-President Medicine Prof. Beatrice Beck Schimmer, followed by an anniversary reception and a toast from UZH President Prof. Michael Schaepman.
The people behind 10 years of IREM
While the anniversary provided an opportunity to highlight scientific and translational milestones, IREM's ten-year story is above all a story of people.
Since 2016, close to 200 researchers, clinicians, technical and administrative staff, and students have been part of IREM, contributing their expertise, ideas and commitment to the development of the institute. From discoveries at the laboratory bench and technologies developed in shared facilities to clinical studies, international collaborations, teaching, outreach and entrepreneurship, IREM's achievements have been a collective effort.
We sincerely thank everyone who has been part of this journey – our current and former IREM members, collaborators, partners and supporters.
Continuing the journey
As IREM enters its second decade, it will continue its mission of connecting fundamental discovery with translation and clinical application in regenerative medicine – building on the expertise, interdisciplinary collaborations and strong partnerships developed over its first ten years.
We look forward to continuing this journey together.
