Redefining diagnostics: Why Unilabs is building a centre of excellence in digestive pathology

Digestive diseases are highly prevalent across Europe and represent a significant healthcare burden. In 2019 alone, they impacted more than 332 million people, with many of these conditions known to increase the risk of digestive cancers.

To best support patient outcomes in this space, Unilabs approaches digestive pathology through a model of diagnostic integration, connecting insights across clinical laboratory testing, radiology, pathology, and genetics. This comprehensive approach enables healthcare professionals to make faster, clearer, and more confident decisions.

In this article, Dr. Giacomo Puppa, Senior Pathologist at Unilabs Switzerland and our key expert in digestive pathology, shares how Unilabs is integrating its expertise by uniting talent, investing in advanced diagnostic tools and technologies, and fostering innovation through external partnerships.

Centralising Europe’s expertise in digestive pathology

The ambition to create a centre of excellence in digestive pathology at Unilabs starts with bringing together some of Europe’s foremost experts in the field. By centralising talent in one environment, Unilabs is creating the ideal conditions for innovation, collaboration, and faster problem-solving. As Dr. Puppa notes, having leading minds working side by side encourages spontaneous discussions, cross-specialty learning, and the generation of diverse ideas, ultimately leading to richer, more effective diagnostic solutions. “With contributors like Prof. Dr. Robert Genta, who has authored over 500 publications on gastritis, and our broader pool of experts across all diagnostics modalities, Unilabs benefits from deep and reliable scientific expertise. This depth of expertise allows us to deliver differentiated, science-driven diagnostic solutions, from advanced biomarker testing and expert pathology, to genetic panels, empowering clinicians to make earlier and more informed decisions.”

By uniting expertise under one roof, Unilabs is accelerating progress in digestive pathology with the aim to redefine what precision diagnostics can achieve for patients across the healthcare journey.

Borderless diagnostics: making expertise global through technology

Although Unilabs’ gastroenterology expertise is physically based in Switzerland, its investment in the latest equipment ensures that its leading expertise is accessible across borders. A key enabler of this competency is the investment in digital pathology technology, such as digital microscope slide scanners which can translate physical samples into high-resolution digital files that can be shared and reviewed remotely. Dr Puppa says technology like this enables pathologists—whether within Unilabs or external collaborators—to consult with experts in real-time, regardless of geography. “In pathology, we tend to find that around 10% of legions fall into the ‘grey zone’; their diagnosis is not so black and white, or clear cut. In these situations, it helps to have a second and, if needed, third expert opinion. Digital pathology allows us to create a connected network of experts and opens more opportunities for multiple experts to assess and ‘co-sign’ diagnoses, offering peace of mind to pathologists and patients alike.”

By the end of 2025, Unilabs expects all core sites to be equipped with digital scanners and software, laying the groundwork for clinical implementation throughout 2026. Alongside this, Unilabs is testing AI-powered diagnostic tools with plans to begin deployment in 2026. Once integrated, these tools will help pathologists to prioritise urgent cases, detect subtle abnormalities, and enhance expert diagnosis. Dr Puppa likens the advancement to auto-pilot technology on aircrafts, “it doesn’t replace the pilot, but it watches the skies with unwavering attention, catching what the human eye might not have seen and helping to avoid errors. One of our dedicated pathologists, Dr Antonin Bouroumeau, is already leading the pilot phase of this programme, helping to shape the digital future of pathology in Switzerland and beyond.”

Bringing the outside in: innovation through collaboration

Central to the concept of a centre of excellence is the the belief that true innovation thrives through collaboration. By partnering with external experts and institutions, Unilabs is opening the door to fresh perspectives, new methodologies, and unique clinical insights that complement its internal expertise. Dr Puppa says these collaborations not only enrich Unilabs’ diagnostic capabilities, they also accelerate the development of novel solutions that may not emerge within a single organisation. “By combining Unilabs’ expertise with that of smaller external partners, we are able to comprehensively cover both upper and lower gastrointestinal diagnostics, ensuring that the full spectrum of the gastrointestinal tract is covered with the highest level of precision.”  Through this open and inclusive model, Unilabs is creating a dynamic, ever-evolving ecosystem of knowledge, one that drives better science, better diagnostics, and ultimately, better outcomes for patients.