Artificial Intelligence in Biomedicine: From Digital Twins to New Drugs Design at IBSA Foundation’s 25th Forum

A day of debate in Lugano with international experts on personalised medicine, digital twins, new drugs and global AI governance. 

Making science accessible, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and opening up new opportunities for learning: this is the vision behind IBSA Foundation for scientific research and the spirit behind its 25^th Scientific Forum, held in Lugano on Friday 6 November 2026. 

Titled “Artificial Intelligence in Biomedicine: from basic research to clinical application”, the meeting explored how AI is transforming modern medicine. Researchers are now building virtual models of patients to simulate disease progress and using computational methods to design new therapeutic compounds. Analysing complex data is paving the way for earlier diagnoses and more targeted, personalised care. 

Numerous international experts took part, united by a shared goal: turning technological progress into real benefits for people’s health. 

The Forum was organised by IBSA Foundation with the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA USI-SUPSI) and was part of the official Swiss AI Weeks programme.

The event reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission to promote “Science for All” through practical initiatives that encourage knowledge sharing. Silvia Misiti, Director of IBSA Foundation, explained that AI is opening up new ways to understand the mechanisms of disease. The real challenge, she noted, is turning these innovations into genuine benefits for patients. 

Andrea Rizzoli, Director of IDSIA USI-SUPSI, echoed this view, stressing that putting these advances into practice depends on ongoing dialogue between technology developers and those working in biomedical research and clinical practice.

The scientific programme featured two main sessions. The first looked how virtual models, known as digital twins, can simulate how the body works and anticipate the course of disease. Giovanna Guidoboni (University of Maine, USA) showed how machine learning can be applied to ocular haemodynamics in glaucoma, paving the way for the identification of at-risk vascular profiles. Julie Josse (Inria, Paris, France) explored how causal and federated learning can overcome the limitations of clinical trials, using real-world data while respecting privacy. Completing the panel, Simone Pezzuto (University of Trento, Italy) completed the panel by explaining how combining mathematical models and AI can turn routine tests, such as electrocardiograms, into predictive cardiac simulations tailored to each patient.

The afternoon session looked at how generative AI and deep learning are contributing to the design of therapeutic molecules. Gisbert Schneider (ETH Zurich, Switzerland) showed how neural networks can accelerate the synthesis of biologically active compounds from the earliest stages of research. The focus then moved to oncology with Kamil Tamiola (Peptone, Bellinzona, Switzerland) demonstrated how supercomputing and algorithms can characterise protein dynamics, opening up new therapeutic avenues for prostate cancer. Janani Durairaj (University of Lausanne, Switzerland) closed the session by illustrating how deep learning models are now being used to design custom biological structures for therapeutic purposes.

In line with IBSA Foundation’s commitment to supporting young people building careers in research, the break between sessions gave centre stage to researchers selected through a Call for Abstracts. 

Four participants presented their research as part of the Forum’s scientific programme. during the lunch break, a dedicated poster session gave emerging scientists the chance to showcase their projects and discuss them with the international experts attending.

Alongside its scientific applications, the Forum placed the ethical implications of AI at its centre. The day closed with the discussion “Road to Geneva AI Summit 2027: Towards more coherent, inclusive and effective global AI governance”. Ambassador Thomas Schneider, Co-Head of International Affairs at the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM), in conversation with Andrea Rizzoli, stressed that the use of AI in healthcare must be grounded in the inalienable principles of fairness and transparency. 

Looking ahead to the global summit in Geneva in 2027, Schneider highlighted Switzerland’s role as a platform for science diplomacy. He emphasised that technological innovation can stay focused on the common good only through dialogue between governments, the scientific community and civil society. 

Closing a day rich in insight and expertise, the Forum reaffirmed IBSA Foundation’s commitment to connecting research and society, so that technological innovation delivers better health, greater awareness and lasting value for everyone.