Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction
CoEHAR is a multidisciplinary tobacco harm reduction research center established in 2018 at the University of Catania, Italy. It conducts multicenter clinical trials, population studies, and laboratory research on smoking cessation and combustion-free nicotine alternatives, serving healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersCatania, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction does
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) is a multidisciplinary research center established in 2018 within the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine at the University of Catania, Italy. Founded by Prof. Riccardo Polosa together with 38 academics, the center studies the drivers of smoking addiction and evaluates harm-reduction alternatives to combustible cigarettes, including e-cigarettes and other combustion-free nicotine products. Its scientific activities span multicenter clinical trials, laboratory analysis (microbiology and molecular biology via an in-house CRO), population-based epidemiological studies (e.g., a 22,000+ adult Scottish Health Survey analysis), computational modeling under an In Silico Science program, and oral health imaging using Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence (QLF) technology. The center has produced 128 peer-reviewed publications in four years across journals such as Journal of Human Hypertension, Internal and Emergency Medicine, Journal of Dentistry, and European Geriatric Medicine.
CoEHAR's named research portfolio includes the REPLICA Project (multicenter replication studies of e-cigarette findings), the SMILE Study (international study on oral health effects of smoking and cessation, with a digital platform at smilestudy.coehar.org), the DiaSmokeFree / DIASMOKE trial (a multinational clinical trial on metabolic outcomes of switching to combustion-free nicotine alternatives in type 2 diabetes patients, at diasmoke.coehar.org), and the VERITAS and ISPM projects. Dissemination channels include a digital repository (repository.coehar.org), the CoEHAR Play multimedia platform, and active social media presence. The center is supported in advocacy, training, and awareness by LIAF (Italian Anti-Smoking League) and ECLAT, a University of Catania spin-off, with consortium partners including the Center for Tobacco Prevention and Treatment and an in-house Clinical Research Organization.
The commercial / funding model is academic: CoEHAR is not a product-selling company and has no disclosed pricing or commercial customers. Revenue is sourced from university allocations, research grants, and a disclosed funding relationship with the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (2022, amount undisclosed), with in-kind support from its affiliated LIAF and ECLAT entities. Go-to-market is community-led, reaching healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the general public through peer-reviewed publications, international conference circuits (SRNT, GTNF, GFN, E-Cigarette Summit, EUROTOX), policy engagement, press coverage, and public education campaigns. Its international collaboration network spans at least 12 countries across Europe, MENA, South Asia, Southeast Asia, South America, and North America, including partnerships with institutions such as University of Oxford, University of Bristol, Temple University, Sultan Qaboos University, Cadi Ayyad University (Marrakech), and Universitas Padjadjaran (Indonesia).
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction
- Legal name
- Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction
- Website
- https://coehar.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CoEHAR is a multidisciplinary tobacco harm reduction research center established in 2018 at the University of Catania, Italy. It conducts multicenter clinical trials, population studies, and laboratory research on smoking cessation and combustion-free nicotine alternatives, serving healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Health Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Substance Use Prevention & Recovery Lifestyle Education (Non-clinical) (EDAAAHAL)
Keywords
Where Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Catania
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- University-funded research: CoEHAR is established within the University of Catania and operates as a research center. The center conducts research funded through university resources, international collaborations, and potentially through research grants. Activities include advocacy, training, education, and awareness campaigns supported by LIAF (Italian Anti-Smoking League) and ECLAT (a spin-off of the University of Catania).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CoEHAR is a multidisciplinary academic research center within the University of Catania that conducts clinical, laboratory, and population-based research on tobacco harm reduction, smoking addiction, and the health effects of alternative nicotine products. It delivers peer-reviewed scientific evidence through named research programs (REPLICA, SMILE, DiaSmokeFree), maintains a publications repository, runs educational and youth-prevention campaigns, and supports policy and advocacy work via affiliated organizations (LIAF, ECLAT).
Product overview
CoEHAR is a multidisciplinary research center at the University of Catania focused on Tobacco Harm Reduction. The organization operates several named research initiatives including the REPLICA Project (multicenter e-cigarette replication studies), the SMILE Study (oral health effects of smoking), and the DiaSmokeFree Study (diabetes and smoking cessation research). These are complemented by CoEHAR Play (multimedia content platform), a research repository, and youth prevention campaigns. The portfolio represents a unified research and education approach rather than a commercial product platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SMILE Study International research project investigating the long-term effects of smoking and smoking cessation on oral health, using innovative technologies such as quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Targeted at the academic, clinical, and public-health research community.
- DiaSmokeFree Study International clinical trial evaluating the long-term metabolic effects (glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors) of switching from conventional cigarettes to combustion-free nicotine alternatives in people with type 2 diabetes. Targeted at the clinical research community.
- REPLICA Project Multicenter replication study project that validates scientific findings on e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction under standardized laboratory exposure conditions across international research centers. Targeted at the academic and clinical research community.
- CoEHAR Play Multimedia platform hosting interviews, educational content, and research presentations on tobacco harm reduction featuring CoEHAR researchers and international partners. Targeted at researchers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
- CoEHAR Repository Open-access digital archive hosting CoEHAR's scientific publications, research outputs, and academic contributions in tobacco harm reduction. Targeted at researchers, academics, and the public-health community.
- Youth Tobacco Prevention Campaign Public-health educational campaign focused on preventing tobacco use among young people through awareness and prevention programs. Targeted at schools, educators, and the general public.
Quantifiable outcome
- E-cigarettes shown to be more than 95% less harmful than conventional cigarettes
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Cadi Ayyad University (Marrakech)minorInternational academic partnership for research collaboration in tobacco harm reduction. Part of CoEHAR's international network of collaborations.
- Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS)minorInternational academic partnership for research collaboration in harm reduction studies.
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)minorBrazilian university partnership for international research collaboration on tobacco harm reduction.
- University of KragujevacminorSerbian university partnership for international research collaboration.
- Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD)minorIndonesian university partnership for international research collaboration. CoEHAR Indonesia established with this partnership.
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)minorBrazilian university partnership for international research collaboration.
- Titu Maiorescu UniversityminorRomanian university partnership for international research collaboration.
- University of OxfordminorUK university partnership for international research collaboration.
- Temple UniversityminorUS university partnership for international research collaboration.
- Sultan Qaboos UniversityminorOman university partnership for international research collaboration.
- University of BristolminorUK university partnership for international research collaboration.
- IMDiK - Institute of Medical Research KasetskyminorInternational research institute partnership for medical research collaboration.
- IHBAS (Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences)minorIndian research institute partnership for international collaboration.
- Institute for Tobacco Studies (ITS)minorTobacco research institute partnership for collaboration on tobacco harm reduction studies.
- LIAF - Lega Italiana Anti Fumo (Italian Anti-Smoking League)coreCoEHAR's actions on advocacy, training, education, and awareness campaigns are supported by LIAF. LIAF was founded by Riccardo Polosa in 2003 and he directed it for 5 years.
- ECLAT - University of Catania Spin-offcoreECLAT is a spin-off of the University of Catania that supports CoEHAR's actions on advocacy, training, education, and awareness campaigns. Also coordinates ISPM Summer School for Project Managers.
- Center for Tobacco Prevention and TreatmentcoreLocal center included within CoEHAR consortium for tobacco prevention and treatment activities.
- Clinical Research Organization (with microbiology and molecular biology laboratories)coreInternal consortium component providing laboratory infrastructure for CoEHAR research including microbiology and molecular biology labs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Centre for Tobacco Control Research and Education (UCSF): UCSF's tobacco research center conducts multidisciplinary research on tobacco use, policy, and health effects, and publishes widely cited peer-reviewed work. It is a direct peer in scope, methodology, and target audiences (researchers, policymakers).
- Center for the Study of Tobacco Products (VCU): Virginia Commonwealth University's Center for the Study of Tobacco Products conducts FDA-funded research on tobacco product science and harm reduction. Directly comparable to CoEHAR in regulatory science and product evaluation focus.
- Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research (Truth Initiative): Truth Initiative's Schroeder Institute conducts peer-reviewed research on tobacco use, cessation, and population health. Comparable to CoEHAR in research methodology, publication output, and policy-engagement goals.
- National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCDCT): UK-based NCSCT delivers evidence-based training, assessment, and research on smoking cessation, including e-cigarettes. Comparable to CoEHAR in its combination of research, training, and policy work on tobacco harm reduction.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): CAMH conducts major research on nicotine dependence, addiction science, and cessation therapies. Comparable to CoEHAR in clinical research on nicotine, behavioral health, and publication-driven policy influence.
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Tobacco Research): Roswell Park runs the Tobacco Research and Treatment program covering nicotine dependence and cancer prevention. Comparable to CoEHAR in population-level research on smoking cessation and health outcomes.
Others
- Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group: The Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group produces gold-standard systematic reviews on smoking cessation interventions and is a benchmark for CoEHAR's own systematic-review outputs (e.g., the IEEE AI cessation review and the diabetes meta-analysis).
- Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT): SRNT is the leading international scientific society for nicotine and tobacco research. It is not a direct competitor but a peer venue where CoEHAR presents and was shortlisted for the 2021 annual meeting.
- Foundation for a Smoke-Free World: Foundation for a Smoke-Free World funds tobacco harm-reduction research globally and is CoEHAR's disclosed funder. It is a thematically related organization whose strategy and standing directly influence CoEHAR's research agenda.
Broad incumbents
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): IARC is the WHO's specialized cancer research agency and produces globally influential monographs on tobacco-related carcinogenicity. It is a broader incumbent shaping the same evidence base CoEHAR seeks to influence.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction social profiles
Digital presenceCenter of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
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Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction
What does Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction do?
CoEHAR is a multidisciplinary academic research center within the University of Catania that conducts clinical, laboratory, and population-based research on tobacco harm reduction, smoking addiction, and the health effects of alternative nicotine products. It delivers peer-reviewed scientific evidence through named research programs (REPLICA, SMILE, DiaSmokeFree), maintains a publications repository, runs educational and youth-prevention campaigns, and supports policy and advocacy work via affiliated organizations (LIAF, ECLAT).
Is Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction a public or private company?
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction founded?
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction based?
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction is headquartered in Catania, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction make money?
One revenue line is on record: university-funded research.
Who are Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Centre for Tobacco Control Research and Education (UCSF), Center for the Study of Tobacco Products (VCU), Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research (Truth Initiative), National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCDCT), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Tobacco Research). Others are Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group, Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) and Foundation for a Smoke-Free World. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction.
What industry is Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction in?
Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction's product category is Public Health Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAHAL, Substance Use Prevention & Recovery Lifestyle Education (Non-clinical). Its NAICS code is 54172 and its SIC code is 8731.