Novartis has invited 60 selected students from leading international universities in 21 countries to its headquarters in Switzerland for the International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp). Over the course of three days, students will gain first-hand experience of starting a biotechnology company as well as developing and launching an innovative healthcare product.

This year, BioCamp is focussed on its innovation efforts in new business approaches to the healthcare industry.

"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," comments Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis. "As Novartis innovates in healthcare, BioCamp underscores our commitment to creating a unique learning environment for young entrepreneurs. This programme 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."

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 programme that trains local health educators and offers medicines in smaller, affordable packaging. Through this programme, 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 will meet with leading scientists and members of top management at Novartis including, among others, Rolf M Zinkernagel, MD, a Nobel Laureate and member of the Novartis AG Board of Directors, and Prof. 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 medicines 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.

BioCamp has developed into an international forum for science and business students from around the world to learn, exchange ideas and work together in a highly competitive business environment. Previously hosted in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Cambridge, Massachusetts, today's seminar marks the fourth time International BioCamp is hosted at the state-of-the-art Novartis global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. Since launching BioCamp in 2004, Novartis has introduced more than 500 top graduate students to the life sciences industry and entrepreneurship.

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies and offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products.