1975:Frontier Science & Technology Research Foundation is established by Marvin Zelen, Professor of Biostatistics at Harvard University in Boston, USA. During the last thirty years FSTRF has become one of the largest US non-profit entity and a leading center for biostatistics, data management and biological computer science, supporting the conduct of trials in several major cooperative groups (ECOG, CALGB, IBCSG, ACTG and others).
1979: initiation of worldwide collaboration by FSTRF with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research located in Bern, Switzerland. Richard Gelber and Aron Goldhirsch take responsibility for the conduct of the Ludwig Breast Cancer Trials. Several thousand patients from 13 participating countries are treated on research protocols.
1986: International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG) is founded to continue clinical research in the field of breast cancer according to principles of academic freedom.
2005: FSE (Swiss) is created at the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI) to facilitate the involvement of the best experts to conduct clinical and translational research under the auspices of research institutions and cooperative groups. FSE will develop local expertise using the resources provided by the FSTRF network.
2006: FSE (Italy) is launched in Milan, Italy, at the European Institute of Oncology (EIO) as a non-profit entity (ONLUS) with the same objectives as FSE (Swiss).
2009: FSE moves to a new independent office in Chiasso, a dynamic City located on the border between Italy and Switzerland. At the same time two new members join the Board, Mr. Umberto Giovine and Mr. Franco Polloni, two professionals very much engaged in the economical and social life of the Canton Ticino.