Novartis India, the Indian subsidiary of the global pharma major Novartis, hosted its first ever Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) in Hyderabad on August 11 and 12, 2009. During the event, three students were selected to represent the country in Novartis' International BioCamp to be held at the Novartis Institute of BioMedical Research, Cambridge, USA from October 26 to 31, 2009.

As per the company announcement, Dr Anuradha Sinha and Amit Kumar, both currently pursuing their MBA at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad and Rodabeh Vania, a fresh MSc postgraduate from the Indian Institute of Science, Mumbai will attend the international camp representing India.

Through the two-day BioCamp in India, the company offers 38 top University students hands-on experience with the multifaceted world of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology and direct contact with experts in the field. The India BioCamp had eminent speakers such as chief guest Bibhu Prasad Acharya (IAS), chairman & managing director, AP Industrial Infrastructure Corp. Ltd. who in his keynote address spoke on Infrastructure Support for Innovation - a case study of Genome Valley.

Professor D Balasubramanian, director of Research, L V Prasad Eye Institute, spoke on Developments in the field of Biotechnology. Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell, founder & CMD of Avesthagen Ltd who covered the Future of Medicines and the Challenges of setting up a Biotech venture, Utkarsh Palnitkar, partner & leader Advisory Services, E&Y and member BIRAC, who introduced students to the world of funding and incubating innovation, Dr Raj Raghupathy, professor and consultant immunologist at the Al-Kabeer Hospital, Kuwait University and Dr Kasim Mookhtiar, chief scientific officer and SVP, Advinus Therapeutics Pvt Ltd who addressed the students on the Drug Discovery process were some of the other speakers in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Ranjit Shahani, vice chairman & managing director, Novartis India Limited said, "BioCamp offers bright young talent a platform to meet with and interact with thought leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. It is just one example of the Novartis commitment to supporting the student community. The judges had a difficult time selecting the winners and we decided to therefore send three students to represent India."

The BioCamp has been held annually in Asian countries since 2004, starting in Taiwan as a local event. It has since grown impressively in to a global event. Last year's International BioCamp in Hong Kong was attended by 57 students from 20 countries; whilst the European BioCamp was attended by 45 students from 14 countries (the top two students from the European BioCamp attended the International BioCamp). Around 70 students from around the world are expected to participate in the global BioCamp being held in October 2009 in partnership with MIT.