Our history

2009: the Scientific Director is appointed
- The Scientific Director, Marco Foiani, is appointed.
2007: the new IFOM-IEO Campus is born
- The new research laboratories of the IEO, adjoining the IFOM research laboratories, open up on April 16 in Milan. Together, the two Institutes form the biggest European oncological research pole.
  The new Campus hosts, on an area of about 24.000 sqm, amenities dedicated to technological development, to higher education and training and a number of biotech societies, for a total of 40 research groups and some 500 scientists.
2006: Ph.D. in science and philosophy
- The European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM), which operates within the IFOM-IEO Campus organizes, in collaboration with the University of Milan, the Ph.D. course in "Foundations of life sciences and their ethical consequences" (FOLSATEC). The course, which co-ordinated by Pier Paolo Di Fiore and directed by Giovanni Boniolo, is the first PhD program in Europe to bring together scientific research and philosophy.
2005: the IFOM-IEO Campus
- As part of a project to further integrate their scientific activities, IFOM and IEO (the European Institute of Oncology) decide to extend the Via Adamello center, which, at the end o the new renovation works, will then double its area and will host up to 600 researchers.
2004: IFOM Foundation
- With effect from January 1st, 2004, FIRC transfers all its direct scientific research activities (personnel and equipment) to IFOM Foundation.
  
  The Lombardy Regional School Department, which sees the "IFOM for Schools" program as an excellent link between research and schools, becomes a partner in all the Institute's educational activities.
2003: the year of the inauguration
- Renovation works are completed. The new research area includes laboratories, offices, a library, an auditorium, seminar rooms, a canteen and a guest house. IFOM can host 300 researchers.
  
  On April 9th, 2003, IFOM is officially inaugurated.
  
  On October 2nd, 2003 FIRC grants legal and therefore economic and managerial independence to the research Institute, which becomes "IFOM the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation".
2002: the educational program for high schools is born
- With the "IFOM for schools" project, IFOM launches an innovative scientific communication program, dedicated in particular to high school teachers and students.
2001: the first Scientific Director is appointed
- The renovation of four buildings is completed.
  
  The first Scientific Director, Pier Paolo Di Fiore, is appointed.
2000: the scientific program gets the go-ahead
- The Lombardy Region Administration accepts the proposition of the General Direction of Productive Activities and approves the IFOM project.
  The Administration commits itself to funding 49% of the redevelopment costs according to a public call for tenders.
  The first researchers move into IFOM's labs.
1999: first renovation works
- Milan Municipality acknowledges the public interest character of the new Institute. FIRC acquires a 11,200 sq. meter industrial area, originally dedicated to pharmaceutical research, between Via Adamello and Via Serio in Milan.
  
  On June 8th, the IFOM project is publicly presented to the Mayor of Milan, Gabriele Albertini.
  
  The first renovation works begin.
1998: the IFOM project at the starting blocks
- SLeading scientists from the institutions in the Milan area directly concerned with molecular oncology research (European Institute of Oncology, National Institute for Tumor Study and Treatment, Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute, San Raffaele Biomedical Science Park, and University of Milan) develop IFOM's scientific program, under the co-ordination of FIRC.
1997: genesis of an idea
- FIRC, The Italian Foundation for Cancer Research, activates the "IFOM Project". FIRC thus intends to directly promote, create and manage a strategic sector of the most advancesd oncological research.

IFOM was created and continues to grow
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