Missions USA
Mission to the United States – New York 2025
The mission to New York aimed to strengthen relations with the United States academic and healthcare system and to initiate new collaborations in the field of precision medicine.
The HEAL Italia delegation met with representatives of leading universities, hospitals and research centres, opening discussions on advanced diagnostic technologies, the integration of genomics and clinical data, applications of artificial intelligence, and new models of collaboration among research, healthcare and industry.
These meetings made it possible to initiate new operational contacts and to lay the foundations for scientific and industrial collaborations with some of the leading life sciences innovation ecosystems in the United States.
Cornell University
The first visit took place at Cornell University, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the United States, where the centre dedicated to precision medicine has been active for more than thirty years. This research hub stands out for its advanced use of artificial intelligence in genomic analysis, an area that makes it possible to develop more accurate diagnoses and highly personalised therapies for patients. Following a tour of the laboratories, the HEAL Italia Foundation had the opportunity to present its activities, initiating a constructive dialogue on possible areas of collaboration. Among the main topics discussed were the willingness to share best practices in the field of precision medicine, the creation of bilateral working groups, and the organisation of joint events between Italy and the United States, with a focus on AI, genomics and personalised medicine.
Another key focus was the launch of international exchange programmes for researchers, with the aim of fostering the internationalisation of projects and the development of multidisciplinary skills.
Interest also emerged in engaging on the topic of certification for precision medicine centres, with the objective of defining shared standards validated at the international level. Of particular importance, finally, was the discussion on the development of an organisational model for the breast unit in precision medicine, which could represent a format that may also be replicated in Italy.
ICE Office
At the same time, the HEAL Italia delegation met with representatives of the ICE Office in New York and the Foreign Investment Attraction Desk. On this occasion, a collaboration agreement was signed with the ICE Agency, which will provide institutional and technical support in the internationalisation processes of the HEAL Italia system in the field of precision medicine. The United States, as the world’s leading biotechnology market, represents a particularly fertile context for the development of new synergies. During the meeting, the possibility of opening an operational office in the USA was also discussed, as this is considered crucial for managing relations with American universities, hospitals and companies already interested in collaborating with the Foundation.
Mission to the United States – Boston 2025
The mission to Boston, carried out on the occasion of the BIO International Convention 2025, held from 16 to 19 June 2025, represented a strategic milestone in the Foundation’s internationalisation pathway.
Participation in the world’s leading event dedicated to biotechnology made it possible to initiate over 30 qualified discussions with universities, hospitals, biotech companies and foundations.
Among the outcomes:
- initiation of collaborations with Cornell University, Columbia University, leading hospital systems such as City of Hope and Northwell Health, companies incubated in the Harvard University area, and the opening of channels of dialogue with institutions including the National Institutes of Health (NIH);
- signing of Memoranda of Understanding for joint research and development programmes;
- exploration of opportunities for the development of Italian-American Proofs of Concept.
BIO International Convention 2025
The delegation participated in the BIO International Convention, the world’s leading event dedicated to biotechnology, where for three days the Chief Operating Officer Laura Leonardis, Board Member Bernardo Giua Marassi, and internationalisation consultant Tiziana Lipari took part in an intensive programme of meetings and presentations. At the HEAL Italia stand, located within the Italy Pavilion, international stakeholders from all over the world were welcomed. Precision medicine was one of the key themes running throughout the event, and the interest shown by foreign stakeholders in accessing the Italian and European markets confirmed the growth potential of the Foundation’s activities.
The incubators of Harvard University
In addition to the convention, the team had the opportunity to visit the Life Science incubators of Harvard University, an innovative ecosystem where highly specialised start-ups are created and developed. The visit was valuable for gaining an understanding of the organisational and management models of these entities, as well as for initiating a direct dialogue with their management. Some American start-ups expressed interest in exploring the Italian market, looking to the HEAL Italia Foundation as a partner and point of reference. The sectors identified as priorities include genomics, artificial intelligence applied to precision medicine, and 4.0 technologies, areas in which cooperation between Italy and the United States can generate concrete and innovative outcomes.
Mission San Francisco 2025
In January 2026, the HEAL Italia Foundation participated in the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, one of the leading global events for the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.
The initiative, organised by ICE – the Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalisation of Italian companies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco, and Invest in Italy, brought together more than 200 stakeholders and decision-makers from the Italian and American biotech, pharmaceutical, and financial ecosystems.
The Foundation’s participation was carried out in continuity with the activities launched at the BIO International Convention in Boston, with the aim of strengthening the transatlantic dialogue on research, technological innovation and investment opportunities.
In this context, the strategic value chains of precision medicine developed within the HEAL Italia network were presented, together with the opportunities offered by the system of services and infrastructures available across the national territory.
The availability of significant funding instruments for research and innovation projects, particularly through the STEP programmes activated by several Italian regions, represents a strong attraction factor for the development of joint initiatives between Italian and North American operators, some of which are already at an advanced stage of definition.
Events in the pipeline
- BIO International Convention | 22 – 25 giugno 2026 | Boston, USA