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Foundation and development of the SCAHT
2001

Following the closure of the Swiss Institute of Toxicology in Schwerzenbach, only limited capacity in applied research and industry-independent consultation services remained and there was a lack of training and continuing education programs in human toxicology in Switzerland.

2002

National Councillor Maya Graf submitted a motion to the Swiss Parliament which led to a Report of the Federal Council on independent toxicology research in Switzerland.

2009

Following an application by Profs. Denis Hochstrasser (University of Geneva) and Stephan Krähenbühl (University of Basel), the Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT) was founded on 19 November 2009. Financial support has been provided by the Swiss Confederation with in-kind contributions from the Universities of Basel, Geneva and Lausanne.

In its first funding period 2009-2012, SCAHT established and consolidated its position as the focal point for human toxicology and risk assessment sciences in Switzerland, and re-established the presence of Swiss toxicology on an international level.

2012

At a meeting between the State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), the Rectors/Vice-Rectors of the participating universities, and the SCAHT President and Director on 26 June 2012, it was decided to create a foundation hosted by the University of Geneva and supported by the Universities of Basel and Lausanne. 

2014

The 'Foundation of the Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology' was officially registered with the Registre du Commerce de Genève on 18 February 2014.

2019

In November 2019, the SCAHT celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

2020

The FHNW School of Life Sciences has joined the SCAHT as partner organisation and will be represented on the Foundation Council.

2021 - 2024

In the current funding period 2021 - 2024, SCAHT aims to continue to strengthen independent Swiss toxicology research networks and training and continuing education programs, and bridge the gap between basic research and regulatory needs in Switzerland. Another focus is to consolidate and build on the representation of Switzerland in international committees and decision-making bodies for human toxicology.