Two aspiring doctors Pavithra Krishnan from Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru and Manthan Mehta from Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai along with Sharmishtha Sharma of the India School of Business, Hyderabad took top honours at the recently concluded Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) that took place in Hyderabad between July 6 and July 8, 2015.

The three participants were selected after an intense three-day programme to represent India at the International BioCamp being held at the Novartis Campus in Basel, Switzerland from August 23 to 26, 2015.

BioCamp is a first of its kind pioneering seminar organised by Novartis that brings young, talented students from diverse faculties and different universities closer to the field. It is open to postgraduate students and young researchers in science, pharmacology, medicine, biotechnology, business management (preference to students with a science background) or law (specialization in IPR) interested in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals.

The inaugural address was delivered by Dr Srinivasa Rao Maddury, senior consultant cardiologist and interventional cardiologist, CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad who spoke at length on the importance of heart and heart care especially in relation to LCZ696 that has received approval from the US FDA ahead of priority review.

Other speakers included Anu Acharya, chief executive officer, mapmygenome.com who shared her entrepreneurial experience in preparing a business plan; J. Sai Deepak, assistant partner, Saikrishna & Associates focused on the legal aspects of being in the pharmaceutical industry and Suresh Ramu, chief executive officer, Cytespace, spoke on the entrepreneurship that lies in every individual. The valedictory address was delivered by Arijit Sarker, director, Google India, whose informative talk about the future of technology and medicines was electrifying.

Speaking on the occasion, Ranjit Shahani, vice chairman & managing director, Novartis India Limited, said “Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp engages with some of the brightest young minds in the country and has built great momentum. Participants are exposed to central facets of the pharmaceutical industry through interacting with leaders in their field. BioCamp is a great learning experience and there is tremendous value that accrues to the students and to us.”

The Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) has been held annually in Asian countries since 2004, starting in Taiwan as a local event. It has since grown impressively into a global event. Around 60 students from around the world are expected to participate in the global BioCamp being held at the Novartis Campus in Basel, Switzerland from August 23 to 26, 2015.