ISMETT was founded in 1997 as a partnership between the Region of Sicily, the Civico and Cervello hospitals in Palermo, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

[1] ISMETT primarily specializes in performing all types of organ transplantations,[2] using both deceased and living donor techniques.

Its creation was also prompted by a 1995 law passed in the United States that capped the total number of foreign patients that can be placed on a waiting list for transplants at 5%.

On March 20, 1997, the State-Region Conference officially approved the creation and clinical management of ISMETT in accordance with art.

[4] In 2001, Ignazio Marino performed the first living donor transplant into and HIV-positive patient in Italy, a procedure that created controversy and criticism,[5] including complaint from the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry moved to censure Marino arguing that this particular type of transplant had the characteristics of clinical trials that required special authorization.

[7] The mobile production laboratories (GMP Facility) of the unit have been made part of a project sponsored by the Region of Sicily and the Budget and Finance under the "ICT for the excellence of the territories."