Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, announced the winners of the 2014 Innovation Cup, a programme that underscores the division’s commitment to developing the next generation of biopharmaceutical talents and discovering promising approaches to new medicines.
Team Oncology, consisting of PhD and post-doctoral researchers from the University of California San Francisco (Dr Hildegard Mack), Karlsruher Institute of Technology (Marie Spitzner), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (Dr Michael Becker), Yale School of Medicine (Dr Sorin Fedeles), and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Steve Marquis Fernandes, MBA), won the Innovation Cup trophy and € 10,000 for their idea to create an innovative approach to antibody-drug conjugates that may fight cancer.
“This forum provides bright young students from around the world with an opportunity to learn about the pharma industry and understand how drugs are successfully discovered, developed and brought to market,” said Dr Ulrich Betz, Department Head Innovation & Entrepreneurship Incubator, Merck Serono. “The goal is to educate participants about careers in the biopharmaceutical industry and build excitement around innovations that have the potential to transform lives through medical science.”
During a week-long Innovation Summer Camp, 28 participants gathered to learn the essentials of drug development in a highly stimulating and competitive environment. Working together in six teams, students generated new ideas in the areas of oncology, immuno-oncology, autoimmune diseases, chemo and bioengineering, drug formulation and medical devices/electronic health, receiving guidance and support from Merck Serono coaches to turn their ideas into business plans. At the end of the week, teams presented their proposals to a jury consisting of senior Merck managers and external experts.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai