Geneva, European Capital of Brain Health 2026: Campus Biotech at the heart of the programme

Geneva, European Capital of Brain Health 2026: Campus Biotech at the heart of the programme

Geneva has been named European Capital of Brain Health 2026 — a title awarded by the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in recognition of the city’s strong commitment to research, innovation and brain health awareness. In late June, the city will host an ambitious programme of scientific conferences and public events, including at Palexpo and Campus Biotech.

A designation that goes beyond the congress itself
Geneva is proud to have been chosen as the European Capital of Brain Health 2026. This comes with an ambitious programme: two public conferences open to all, a nationwide school initiative — the Brain Health Schools Challenge — and a city-wide awareness campaign running from 20 June to 4 July 2026. Across public spaces and digital screens, the campaign will promote three key messages: sleep well, stay active, and eat well.

Some 7,000 specialists — including researchers, clinicians and healthcare professionals — are expected at Palexpo from 27 to 30 June. The congress is one of Europe’s largest gatherings dedicated to the brain and nervous system.

26 June at Campus Biotech: science open to all
On Friday 26 June from 5pm, Campus Biotech hosts a series of public talks titled Brain Health and the Swiss Plan for its Promotion. The event is free and open to everyone. Opening remarks will be given by Nicolas Durand, Director of the Fondation Campus Biotech Geneva, and Panteleimon Giannakopoulos, Director General of the Cantonal Office of Health. This reflects the growing convergence between research, public institutions, and health policy.

Six experts from across Switzerland will then take the floor. Among the speakers, Claudio Bassetti (Neurologist, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern) and Indrit Bègue (Psychiatrist, University of Geneva) — both guests on the Campus Biotech podcast Where Science Talks, where they discussed the “one brain, one mind, one health, one planet” vision behind the Swiss Brain Health Plan — will continue that discussion with a public audience. Bassetti will address the implementation of the Swiss Plan for Brain Health, while Bègue will speak on the societal and economic burden of brain diseases in Switzerland.

How our lifestyle shapes brain health: the case of sleep
The brain does not function in isolation — our daily habits have a direct impact on its functioning. Sleep is one of the most well-documented examples. During the night, the brain consolidates the memories of the day, strengthens neural connections and clears accumulated metabolic waste. Insufficient or fragmented sleep can impair memory and reduce learning capacity. Over time, sleep disorders are associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases. The EAN recommends aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep per night to support cognitive function and overall health.

EAN Brain Health Mission — ean.org/brain-health-mission

Campus Biotech: a key player in Geneva’s brain health ecosystem
Alongside the HUG, the University of Geneva and the CHUV, Campus Biotech is one the Geneva institutions cited by the EAN for their contributions to innovation in neurology and the life sciences. It is this research and healthcare ecosystem — built through years of collaboration and shared initiatives — that underpins Geneva’s designation as the European Capital of Brain Health 2026.