Enrico Cuccia, President of Mediobanca, attracts the first core of shareholders to Umberto Veronesi’s original project: Agricola Finanziaria, Assicurazioni Generali, Ferruzzi Finanziaria, Fiat, Grassetto, Italcementi, Mediobanca, Montedison, Pirelli, Riunione Adriatica di Sicurtà and Società Assicuratrice Industriale. The European Institute of Oncology is established.

The project involves the creation of a comprehensive cancer centre in Italy that meets the most advanced international standards: the priority of research, the central role of the patient, and the adoption of criteria and instruments typical of businesses.

The bylaws of the new Institute establish Italy’s first example of a private non-profit organisation: the shareholders pledge to reinvest any profit in research and development.

Paolo Baffi, former governor of the Bank of Italy, is the Institute’s first President.