60 students join int’l biotech meet

MANILA, Philippines - Novartis gathered 60 selected students from leading international universities in 21 countries in its headquarters in Switzerland for the International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) last Aug. 26-28.

Over the course of three days, students gained first-hand experience in starting a biotechnology company as well as developing and launching an innovative healthcare product.

This year’s BioCamp focused on Novartis’ innovation efforts in new business approaches to the healthcare industry.

Malem Flores, an Agricultural and Rural Development scholar of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB), and Charles Jourdan Reyes, a magna cum laude graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), represented the Philippines in the annual biotech workshop.

A BS in Biology, major in Microbiology graduate of UPLB, Flores is currently taking up MS in Microbiology at UP-Diliman while working as a research assistant at the Marine Environment and Resource Foundation of the UP Marine Science Institute.

She is part of a team of American and Filipino scientists trying to discover and develop new drugs and biofuels from indigenous marine mollusks. The collaborative research project is being funded by the US National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy.

A BS in Biology, minor in History graduate of AdMU where he was a full scholar, Reyes is taking up MS in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at UP-Diliman.

He was an intern in Japan’s respected Nara Institute of Science and Technology where he trained in molecular biology research on neural stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. His mentor, professor Kinichi Nakashima, is one of the world’s leading experts in neural stem cell research.

“With the aging population and increases in chronic disease around the world, demand for healthcare will continue to grow, well into the future. This will require innovative solutions as more healthcare systems focus on improving patient outcomes,” said Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis.

“As Novartis innovates in healthcare, BioCamp underscores our commitment to creating a unique learning environment for young entrepreneurs. This program enables us to forge ties between the healthcare industry and young talent from top universities. We believe this fosters the fresh thinking required to develop truly differentiated products and services with real-world outcomes,” Jimenez added.

Innovative business models

Some of the company’s leading outcome-based business models include collaborations with payors on pricing arrangements, patient compliance programs as well as online support and education. 

For example, the company looks at innovative business models that go beyond traditional philanthropic and commercial efforts to reach patients today and those of future generations.

The Novartis Arogya Parivar (“Healthy Family”) project is one such social healthcare business model involving a deep-rooted outreach program that trains local health educators and offers medicine in smaller, affordable packaging. Through this program, Novartis has reached 42 million people in 33,000 villages in India.

BioCamp is part of the Novartis commitment to supporting the exchange of ideas and thoughts between young talents in science and business and the company. Top students meet with leading scientists and members of top management at Novartis, including, among others, Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel, a Nobel Laureate and member of the Novartis AG board of directors, and professor Susan Gasser, director of the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research.

BioCamp students also interact with Novartis scientists and executives who lead the company’s approach to drug development and learn about new breakthrough medicine to address patients’ unmet medical needs.

The program is designed to help students understand trends and challenges in the biotechnology and life science sectors as well as gain first-hand experience about starting and running a biotech company. 

BioCamp has helped forge ties with local communities and build connections to aid future innovative collaborations in research and clinical development.