Students get insider's perspective from Pinoy scientists in BioCamp

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s next generation of scientists gathered at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City for the 2010 Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) where they learned the latest biotechnology trends from distinguished Filipino scientists, academicians and biotech entrepreneurs.

BioCamp is a pioneering biotechnology workshop organized by research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis for entrepreneurial graduate and post-graduate students in the natural sciences who are interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology.

Since 2007, Novartis has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in organizing annual Local BioCamps.

Other Local BioCamp partners are Intellectual Property Philippines (IP Philippines) and Hybridigm Consulting, the country’s first biotechnology consulting firm.

At the end of each Local BioCamp, two students are selected to represent the Philippines in the prestigious International BioCamp.

The selection is based on academic excellence and professional focus. Novartis shoulders all travel and accommodation expenses of the selected students.

Expected to gather 60 students from different countries, this year’s International BioCamp will be held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at the Novartis International Headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.

Conducted by biotech leaders from around the world, local and international BioCamp workshops are designed to give participants the tools they need to start a biotech company.

The International BioCamp also provides participants with the opportunity to work together, learn and network with students from around the world, as well as explore career-enhancing opportunities in biotech and academia.

This year’s Local BioCamp drew at least 100 participants from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, St. Lukes College of Medicine, De La Salle University and Far Eastern University.

The participants are graduate and post-graduate students in the fields of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Chemistry, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Biology, Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry.

Learning from Filipino biotech trailblazers

National Scientist Dr. Lourdes “Luly” Cruz spoke on advances in marine biotechnology, a field where she has excelled and made significant contributions for over three decades.

Cruz is currently based at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. In 1981, she received the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), and was elected to the Academy in 1986.

She received the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Achievement Award in Chemistry in 1982, and the Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Ser­vice Award (Biochemistry) in 1986.

In 2008, Cruz was conferred the rank of National Scientist, the highest honor given to a Filipino scientist. She is also one of the five exceptional women scientists in the world who received the 2010 L’Oreal-UNESCO Awards in the Life Sciences.

During the Meet the Scientist Forum, molecular biologist Dr. Francisco Chung Jr. discussed his research on stem cell therapy for various cancers such as brain, kidney, gallbladder, breast and lung cancer.

Chung, who holds a Ph.D. in Pathology and Molecular Medicine from Auckland University in New Zealand and an M.S. in Biochemistry from UP College of Medicine (UPCM), specializes in cutting-edge cancer research.

After years of conducting research abroad, he decided to return and share his expertise to the nation as a “Balik Scientist” under the auspices of the DOST.

He is currently an associate professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UPCM and a visiting consultant at the Molecular Diagnostics and Cellular Therapeutics Laboratory of the Lung Center of the Philippines.

Engineer Danilo Manayaga inspired the BioCamp participants by sharing how he successfully established several biotech companies.

Manayaga is the president and CEO of Secura International Corp. (SIC), Secura Plant Genetics Corp. (SPGC) and Servac Philippines Corp. (SPC).

SIC produces powdered and liquid extracts from valuable fruit, plant and vegetable resources. SPGC manufactures enzymes, essential oils and plant extracts, while SPC produces various vaccines, including the first locally made anti-rabies vaccine.

Sen. Edgardo Angara delivered the keynote address. Other noted guests and speakers during the Local BioCamp included DOST Undersecretary Fortunato de la Peña, IP Philippines Deputy Director-General Atty. Andrew Michael Ong, Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones, Hybridigm Consulting founder and CEO Maui Arroyo, and Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).

“We are privileged to work with the DOST and our other partners in helping build up the country’s pool of skilled scientists and researchers. Biotech research, which has been pivotal in advances made in the life sciences and medicine, can help improve the quality of healthcare in the country,” said Eric van Oppens, Southeast Asia Cluster head and president of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

“The DOST is pleased to continue its partnership with Novartis in enhancing the knowledge and skills of young Filipino scientists. In the era of globalization, we need to invest in science and technology to remain competitive and drive national economic growth,” said DOST Secretary Dr. Mario Montejo.