Biopharma Capitalizes on Global Talent.

WATERTOWN, Mass. -- Healthcare policy reform, the global economic crisis, and large pharmas' imminent patent cliff have converged creating a demand for new talent, local and international, to expedite research and development initiatives. Requiring an ongoing investment in global scientific education, the biopharmaceutical industry must establish and facilitate a connection with fresh talent through educational mediums that promote and harbor scientific curiosity. In doing so, the industry reasserts its focus on continual innovation in worldwide research and development capabilities.

Contributing toward this initiative, the 2009 Novartis International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) hosted an elite group of 60 post-graduate students from leading science and business universities spanning 24 countries to create the next international biopharmaceutical leaders. In its second year, the Novartis Institute for Biological Research (NIBR) recruits top students from all over the world for local, regional, and international BioCamps.

During the three-day international BioCamp program, students had the opportunity to learn and interact with leading biopharma experts and work together with culturally diverse students. The agenda was headlined by industry experts who provided insightful one-on-one mentoring with the students. Additionally, interactive forum discussions and high-level workshops emphasized the importance of innovation through research, design, and discovery. Through exploring career opportunities and networking with global leaders in the biotech sector, the students received real-world experience with the dynamic and rapidly evolving world of biotechnology.

Held in the Boston biotech hub at Novartis' Cambridge, MA facility, Jeff Lockwood, Global Head, Communications for Novartis kicked-off the first day welcoming students from around the world. Shortly thereafter, an elite panel titled "Conceptualizing Your Ideas into a Business Plan" took place. Moderated by Janet Wolfe, Ph.D., President and Founder of Wolfe Laboratories, Inc., the session included John Ripple, CEO, Virdante; Ansbert Gadicke, MD, Managing Director, MPM Capital; Juswinder Singh, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Avila Therapeutics; Peter T. Lansbury, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Link Medicine; Alan Crane, General Partner, Polaris Ventures; and Doug Cole, MD, General Partner, Flagship Ventures.

With insight from a well-known panel of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in the biotech arena, this compelling session focused on the challenges of getting a business started - turning ideas and concepts into complex business plans. Noting significant challenges, senior-level panelists cemented the importance of building a strong team, raising capital, and formulating successful business plans. They also provided insight on how to avoid common pitfalls, and the importance of adapting to the startup mindset. By detailing the complexities of a business start-up, BioCamp participants received an insider's viewpoint of the opportunities and challenges in biopharma today, and in turn, learned the skills required to become the next leading biopharmaceutical entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry thought-leaders.

For the complete BioCamp agenda and detailed speaker information, click here.

About Wolfe Laboratories, Inc. (WLI)

WLI is a biopharmaceutical development services company that offers customized translational research services and comprehensive IND-enabling programs for biologics and small molecules. Through its development services in ADME and CMC areas, as well as cGLP and cGMP testing, the company brings value to its clients by rapidly providing high quality project planning and execution through its experienced staff and management team. Drug Development Done Right. On Time. For more information, visit www.wolfelabs.com.