Novartis International BioCamp engages next generation of research talent
Today’s best young talent will soon be changing the world. Novartis International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) offers top university students the opportunity to apply their bright minds to the trends and challenges of the biotechnology industry – and to think like entrepreneurs.

Sixty graduate students, selected from leading universities in 24 countries and territories, gathered from August 30 – September 1, 2010 at the Novartis headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, for the annual International BioCamp.
“BioCamp is so colorful. There are people from different backgrounds, different cultures, different countries and different plans...They have it all, so it's really amazing.”2010 International BioCamp participant
International BioCamp 2010
First introduced in Taiwan in 2004, 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. Over the past seven years, Novartis has introduced more than 600 top graduate students to the biotech industry and entrepreneurship.
Previously hosted in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Tokyo and Hong Kong, this year marks the first time International BioCamp was held at the state-of-the-art Novartis global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland – a key research and development center.
The students met with Novartis scientists and leaders who drive the Novartis approach to drug discovery, and exchanged thoughts on advancing innovation. Workshops and presentations led by Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO; Ann Fudge, Member of the Novartis Board of Directors; Dhaval Patel, Head of Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) in Europe; Rino Rappuoli, Head of Research for Novartis Vaccines and other biotechnology experts gave participants an insider's perspective on the industry.
"Novartis BioCamp creates a forum for up-and-coming talent to directly experience what it takes to bring new therapies from the lab to patients," explained Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, "It's exciting to see BioCamp participants inspire and challenge each other during the program, generating new ideas around scientific innovation and improving patient outcomes."
With most of the students coming from research-focused scientific fields, the entrepreneurial emphasis of BioCamp is new for many. “In my academic work I'm not used to coping with business issues and a project like this, so it's a good exercise,” said a 2010 International BioCamp participant.
Getting practical with innovation
The young scholars put their entrepreneurial vision into practice, working in groups to create business plans for a biotech product. On the final day of the program, the BioCamp participants presented their cases to a jury of internal and external experts from research, business, finance and human resources.
“From the three days, what I've learned has really prepared me for what's coming next and that there are a lot opportunities for young people like us who have either studied business or pharmaceutical or natural science”. 2010 International BioCamp participant
The jury selected three individual winners – participants studying in Japan, India and Switzerland – based on their overall performance during the three days, evaluating qualities such as their leadership skills and contribution to the group during the case study. Additionally, one of the eight teams – with participants from Finland, Germany, India, Korea, Pakistan, Switzerland, and Taiwan – was selected based on a rating of their team’s business concepts and how they worked together.
To get a sense of the energy, learning and fun experienced during 2010 International BioCamp, watch the video on YouTube.
Watch the highlights video on YouTube