Young Filipino scientists learn valuable lessons from BioCamp

MANILA, Philippines - Two young Filipino scientists have learned valuable lessons from an international biotechnology workshop — lessons they plan to share with fellow scientists and apply in the local biotech industry. 

“BioCamp taught me that scientists should understand not just the scientific aspects of biotechnology, but its financial and social dynamics as well,” said Janill Magano, a 21-year-old second-year academic scholar at the Far Eastern University-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation.

“Through BioCamp, I learned the importance of an effective business plan in the development and marketing of a biotechnology product,” said Kellsye Fabian, a 22-year-old molecular biology instructor at UP Diliman. 

Magano and Fabian were among 60 students from 27 countries who participated in the fourth Novartis International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) held last Oct. 26-30 at the Novartis Institute for Biological Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Organized annually by the research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis, BioCamp provides selected students from all over the world with the opportunity to learn from leading biotech experts, interact with professionals and work together with other students from various cultures.

The workshop also enables students to explore career opportunities and network with global leaders in the biotechnology sector.

Novartis works with the Department of Science and Technology, Intellectual Property Philippines, Hybridigm, public and private research centers, and academic institutions in the country to promote research and development and develop promising Filipino students.

Among the BioCamp speakers, who included some of the world’s top biotech experts, Magano and Fabian were most impressed with Dr. George Q. Daley.

An associate professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Daley spoke on the promise of stem cells in developing new medicines.

“Dr. Daley’s lecture was the most interesting. Stem cells theoretically offer treatment for a wide array of currently incurable diseases, the realization of which would be a dream-come-true for healthcare professionals,” Magano said.

“The topic of stem cells is not an entirely novel concept for me, but Dr. Daley was able to give it a new perspective. His passion for stem cell research made me better appreciate this emerging technology and more aware of its positive impact on medicine,” said Fabian.

Another lecture that struck a chord with Fabian was the overview of vaccines research given by Dr. Christian Mandl, head of vaccines research of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics (US).

Fabian who considers vaccines as “one of the most important medical products” ever developed by scientists has a keen interest in vaccines. Her masteral thesis which investigates how the body’s immune system responds to a surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum (the causative agent of malaria) is related to vaccines.

Magano believes Mandl’s lecture on vaccine research is particularly relevant to the Philippines where “infectious diseases like dengue, typhoid fever, and malaria kill thousands of Filipinos every year.”

On the other hand, Fabian thinks the panel discussion on conceptualizing ideas into a business plan is highly relevant to the Philippine setting. The expert panel was composed of some of the world’s top biotech scientists and venture capitalists.

“The panelists shared how they started up their biotechnology companies which could either be product-based or technology platform-based and how these companies have grown into very competitive business establishments,” said Fabian.

She noted local research initiatives that could generate commercially viable products. “Knowing how to transform a laboratory product into a commercial product would be a source of prestige and income for our country. Putting up a company based on such a product would create jobs and possibly more marketable biotechnology products,” she said.

The “intense and highly productive intellectual exchange” between the BioCamp delegates resulted in an “information explosion,” Magano said.

“Everyone was so eager to share his or her educational background, previous and current research, and future plans,” he said.

Magano believes that such a dynamic flow of information should be encouraged among local stakeholders and institutions to boost the country’s growth and development.

“Although the BioCamp delegates came from different countries, we spoke a common language — science. This made it easy for us to relate to each other, so friendships were easily formed,” Fabian said.

Through conversations with the other delegates, she noted the limited biotech research opportunities and funding in most developing countries.

As a result, some of the delegates from developing countries plan to move to developed countries after they finish their postgraduate studies. “Developing countries must strengthen their biotech sector to prevent brain drain,” said Fabian.

After their BioCamp experience, the two young Filipino scientists have become even more committed to harnessing the power of biotechnology in nation building.

“The government should provide incentives to local biotech investors and liberalize the country’s budding biotech industry to enhance access for new technologies and expertise,” urged Magano.

“We must strengthen our local biotech industry to create more jobs, encourage the best and the brightest to stay in the country, and create products that benefit not just Filipinos but the whole world as well,” said Fabian.

They encourage Filipino students to consider a career in biotechnology, which they describe as an exciting field with limitless opportunities. “Not only could a career in biotechnology be financially rewarding,” Fabian said, “it could also be personally fulfilling since as a biotechnologist you can improve people’s lives.”