The San Raffaele Hospital was the first private hospital established in Italy in 1971. In 1972 it was granted by the Italian Ministry of Health the status of “Research Hospital” (IRCCS: “Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico”), with a main focus on diabetes and metabolic diseases.
In 1992 a new building was opened to accommodate the Department of Biotechnology (Di.Bi.T.1). The initial areas of research covered by Di.Bi.T.1 were genetics, cell biology and immunology while in the late 90’s gene therapy, stem cell biology and molecular mechanisms of diseases were added.
Alongside the Hospital, the private Vita-Salute San Raffaele University was established in 1996 and now hosts the Faculties of Medicine, of Psychology and of Philosophy. Furthermore, the teaching activities include, besides a whole range of Residency Programs, an international Ph.D. school in Molecular Medicine. San Raffaele integrates its research with the education and training activities conducted within the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. In addition, partnerships with other Institutes and Universities have been established by the activation of specific Agreements.
In recognition of its investments and leadership in the research area of molecular medicine, in 2001 the Italian Ministry of Health granted San Raffaele the status of Research Hospital (IRCCS) in Molecular Medicine.
Recently, in order to accommodate the expansion of the University and of the Research activities, a new construction consisting of three buildings and called Di.Bi.T.2 was completed making San Raffaele the largest Scientific Park in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe.
