The ISREC Foundation, previously Swiss institute for experimental cancer research was founded in June 1964. It is a foundation governed by the Swiss civil law. It is overseen by the Swiss Confederation. It is registered in the Trade register of the Canton of Vaud.

There mission is "One out of three persons develops cancer during his or her lifetime, and unfortunately the disease can be cured in only half of the cases. Cancer remains therefore a major challenge to experimental biology, which aims at elucidating the causes of this disease, and providing the basis for new therapeutic progress."

Foundation ISREC became UICC associate member in 2005.