Established as a centre of excellence, CEMAD (Center for Digestive Diseases) at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS is directed by Prof Antonio Gasbarrini with a core focus on digestive diseases.
Within CEMAD, the IBD unit is dedicated to advanced diagnosis, treatment and research of digestive diseases, with a strong focus on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The IBD unit of CEMAD is recognised as a leading referral centre for IBD in Italy and Europe, providing multidisciplinary care that integrates the latest advances in gastroenterology, endoscopy, radiology, surgery and personalised medicine.
CEMAD offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for IBD patients, including advanced endoscopic techniques, such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to ensure precise assessment and management of disease complications. Moreover, the centre specialises in intestinal ultrasound (IUS) and innovative biomarker-based monitoring, allowing for non-invasive disease assessment and early therapeutic intervention.
A key strength of CEMAD is its multidisciplinary team, comprising gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, immunologists, dietitians, psychologists, IBD nurses and care managers, all working together to provide comprehensive and personalised patient care. The centre is deeply committed to precision medicine, tailoring treatment strategies based on clinical, endoscopic, radiological and molecular features of IBD. This approach enhances disease control, minimizes complications and optimises long-term patient outcomes.
Beyond clinical care, CEMAD is actively engaged in cutting-edge research, participating in clinical trials and translational studies to explore new biologic therapies, small molecules and biosimilars for IBD. The centre collaborates with national and international research networks, contributing to the advancement of IBD pathophysiology, novel treatment algorithms and patient-centred care models. CEMAD also plays a crucial role in educating healthcare professionals, offering training programs, workshops and scientific meetings to disseminate knowledge and improve IBD management.
Through its holistic and innovative approach, CEMAD continues to be a benchmark centre for IBD care and research, improving the quality of life of patients by integrating clinical expertise, research excellence and patient-centred innovation.
Affiliated entities
Gemelli Digital Medicine & Health srl
Role within INTERCEPT
In the INTERCEPT project, CEMAD serves as one of the coordinating centres in Italy, overseeing patient recruitment and sample collection in collaboration with affiliated satellite centres, including Ospedale San Camillo Forlanini, Policlinico Tor Vergata. The institution ensures access to a large cohort of IBD patients and first-degree relatives (FDRs) under active follow-up, facilitating high-quality clinical and biomolecular data collection. Additionally, CEMAD provides access to a certified biobank, essential for storing biological samples crucial for understanding the genetic, immunological and environmental factors involved in IBD onset and progression.
Furthermore, CEMAD actively supports scientific dissemination, stakeholder engagement and patient-centred initiatives to maximize the impact of the project’s findings.
Through its strong collaboration with international partners, CEMAD reinforces INTERCEPT’s goal of establishing a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and translational approach to improve outcomes for individuals at risk of developing IBD.
Main contacts
Prof. Franco Scaldaferri
Director of IBD Unit within CEMAD, PI of the study for Italy
Prof. Antonio Gasbarrini
Director of CEMAD
Prof. Lucrezia Laterza
MD, gastroenterologist, sub-investigator
Dr. Federica Di Vincenzo
MD, gastroenterologist, sub-investigator
Dr. Angelo Del Gaudio
MD, gastroenterologist, sub-investigator
Dr. Gabriele Rumi
MD, gastroenterologist, sub-investigator
Prof. Loris Lopetuso
MD, gastroenterologist, sub-investigator
Dr. Francesca Profeta
Study coordinator
Dr. Elisa Foscarini
Study coordinator
Dr. Vincenzina Mora
Responsabile Clinical Trial Office