The Italian Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation (FFC Ricerca) was established in Verona in 1997 at the initiative of Prof. Gianni Mastella, Dr. Michele Romano, and the entrepreneurs Vittoriano Faganelli and Matteo Marzotto. The objective is to provide information about cystic fibrosis (CF), one of the most common severe genetic diseases (with an estimated 6,000 people affected by CF in Italy, 48,000 in Europe, and 160,000 worldwide), and to promote advanced research projects in order to improve the life expectancy and quality of life of people with CF and ultimately defeat this disease.
As the first entity in Italy specifically devoted to the cystic fibrosis research and recognized by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), FFC Ricerca resorts to a network of over 980 researchers and the efforts of more than 150 delegations and support groups active in all of the Italian regions, with 5,000 regular volunteers who contribute with the fund raising and provide information about the disease.
Ever since 2002, FFC Ricerca has been chaired by Matteo Marzotto and has invested over €40 million in 495 research initiatives. The Foundation funds network projects through competitive calls, strategic projects and research facilities.
The network projects are identified during two annual calls and are selected based on the evaluations of the Scientific Committee chaired by Prof. Paolo Bernardi with the contribution of international experts, in synergy with the Scientific Direction of the Foundation, led by Dr. Carlo Castellani and the Deputy Director Dr. Nicoletta Pedemonte.
To address specific issues in the field of cystic fibrosis and give new impetus to particular research areas, the Foundation also promotes certain strategic projects. Among these, in 2021, the Foundation decided to support a project dedicated to pharmacovigilance of the modulator Kaftrio in people with CF with advanced lung disease and a specific genetic profile, and a project dedicated to studying a new class of CFTR protein correctors. A strategic project on gene therapy and delivery also started in 2024.
In order to provide researchers with additional tools for CF research, since 2008 the Foundation has made research facilities available to the scientific community.
Since 2008, the Foundation has been certified by the Italian Institute of Donations, attesting to its operation according to international standards of efficiency, transparency, credibility, and honesty.
Board of directors
President: Matteo Marzotto
President emeritus: Vittoriano Faganelli
Vice presidents: Paolo Faganelli, Michele Romano
Advisors: Marco Callisto Bravi, Giuseppe Lauria Pinter, Riccardo Boatto, Patrizia Volpato, Paolo De Capitani, Maurizio Segh, Michele Bauli
Scientific Direction
Scientific Director: Carlo Castellani
Vice director: Nicoletta Pedemonte
Secretery: Federica Lavarini
President of the scientific commitee: Paolo Bernardi
Clinical research activities management and promotion: Cesare Braggion
Manager of Grants, Projects, and Research Enhancement: Ermanno Rizzi
Scientific communication: Luisa Alessio
President: Paolo Bernardi
Advisors: Cesare Braggion, Paola Bruni, Roberto Buzzetti, Giulio Cabrini, Emilio Clementi, Antonella Mencacci, Michael Pusch, Gian Maria Rossolini
Managment direction
Director: Fabio Cabianca
Administration, HR, Organization
Manager: Gabriella Cadoni
Assistants: Michela Bergamaschi, Laura Miranda, Francesca Morbioli, Silvia Sorio
Auditor: Alessandra Bortolomasi
Communication and Public Relations
Manager: Valeria Merighi
Assistants: Isabella Boarato, Jara Bombana, Cinzia Capuzzo, Silvia Prando, Giulia Vrenna
Editorial projects: Marina Zanolli
Press office: Carlotta Bergamini
Science press office: SEC Newgate
Fundraising and relations with the territory
Manager: Fabio Cabianca
Assistants: Laura Andreoli, Anastasia Boni, Giusy Buemi, Laura Fratta, Caterina Novaria
Corporate relations: Giulia Bovi
Delegations and support groups
150 distributed in all Italian regions (february 2025)