Novartis gears up for Biocamp 2007

Top postgraduate students, experts and industry leaders in the fields of biotechnology and medical biotechnology in the country gathered last Aug. 10 for the “Biotechnology Forum” held at the Best Western Astor Hotel in Makati City.

The forum served as an excellent venue for information sharing and exchange on the state of biotechnology development in the country, and a primer for the Novartis International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) 2007, which will be held on Oct. 6-8 in Tokyo, Japan.

The BioCamp is an annual three-day biotechnology seminar for postgraduate students with high management and leadership potential in this field of study.

The seminar offers participants a chance to gain a broader view of the biotechnology sector and its benefits from a global perspective.

Pharmaceutical company Novartis started the biotechnology camp in 2004 as a way of giving back to the societies in which it operates.

The company believes that “by educating talented young people about recent trends in the biotechnology industry and by promoting regional cooperation, we aim to contribute to the advancement of biotechnology worldwide.”

Novartis was named as the number one most admired pharmaceutical company in 2006 by Fortune Magazine.

The BioCamp 2007 will convene some 40 participants from all over the world, with one or two representatives from each country. For three days, the top postgraduate students from various countries will be given the opportunity to interact with their peers and learn from biotechnology experts from the academe, the industry and government officials.

Speaking during the Biotechnology Forum, Novartis (Phils.) commercial director for general medicine Amal Kelshikar said, “(BioCamp) “stimulates biotechnology in the country,” referring to how the event could strengthen its development in the Philippines through a healthy exchange of innovative ideas that should extend beyond borders and spread regionally and globally as well.

Two representatives will be chosen by Novartis among masteral or postgraduate students from top universities in the country to participate in the international BioCamp 2007.

According to Novartis, the selection of candidates will be based on “academic excellence, professional focus and leadership potential.”

This year’s forum was unique as Novartis has decided to have a mix of students in medicine or science majors and business majors as well.

Cora Varona, compensation and HR services manager of Novartis, said innovative ideas on biotechnology need to materialize from incubation to commercialization stage in order for humanity to maximize its advantages.

This is where the combination of these students becomes significant as they leverage on each other’s talents and capabilities, she said.

At the same time, BioCamp provides an excellent opportunity for Novartis to attract best-in-class talents by demonstrating to young people the career potentials that the pharmaceutical industry and Novartis can offer.  

Aside from representatives of Novartis, the Biotechnology Forum was also graced by distinguished speakers who shared updates on biotechnology and their opinions on the future of biotechnology in the Philippines.

Dr. Gisela Concepcion, a multi-awarded researcher and professor of the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines, talked about the importance of biotechnology in the field of science and medicine.

On the other hand, Dennis Posadas, a consultant of the UP Ayala Technology Park and author of “Rice & Chips: Technopreneurship and Innovation in Asia,” shared his insights on the viability of biotechnology.

Also, present in the event was Dennis Bela Ong, one of the country’s representatives to BioCamp 2006 held in Singapore, who talked about his experiences in last year’s event.