Decoding Protein Structures: Our Scientists Share Their Insights at NUS

Scientific progress thrives on collaboration and knowledge-sharing. That’s why we make it a point to contribute to the science ecosystem through guest lectures, collaborations, and industry-academic partnerships.

In October 2024, our scientists were invited by the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine to guest lecture at the Department of Biochemistry, as part of an advanced course on protein structure and function.  

This course provides students with a strong foundation in protein complexity and function, covering structural organization, biological roles, and enzyme mechanisms. Our guest lecture complemented these topics by sharing how protein science plays a crucial role in real-world drug discovery and development.

Leading the session were Dr Zulkarnain Harfuddin, a Senior Partnering Associate at CPR who spearheads open innovation initiatives to drive drug discovery and explore new technologies, and Dr Jaslyn Wong, a Senior Scientist at CPR who specializes in protein expression and purification to support drug discovery projects.

During the guest lecture, they shared how different units within CPR collaborate to accelerate early drug discovery processes, from target assessment to clinical candidate selection. The talk also highlighted the importance of efficiently producing high-quality antibody and non-antibody proteins – an essential step in developing effective therapeutics.

The talk also provided insights into how protein science is applied in the daily work of our scientists to facilitate drug development processes in CPR. This discussion enabled the students to understand how fundamental protein research translates into real-world impact.

By participating in such lectures, we hope to inspire future scientists by demonstrating the impact of research beyond the lab. We remain committed sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the broader scientific community.

Science Educators Gather at CPR for a Learning Journey

In our ongoing efforts to promote science education, we welcomed a group of Science Master Teachers from the Academy of Singapore Teachers for a learning journey on 9 September 2024.

Participants included science teachers from primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges in Singapore who teach a range of science subjects including Primary Science, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Design & Technology, and Nutrition and Food Science.

The programme was designed to demonstrate how we leverage science and technology to develop innovative drugs for patient-centric healthcare.

The day began with a welcome address and introduction to CPR by our CEO Mr Hideaki Shimada. Next, our Research Manager presented an overview of the drug development process in CPR, detailing each stage from target identification to lead discovery and lead optimization.

The teachers were then taken on a lab tour, where they witnessed our researchers in action, gaining insights on how we utilize technology to develop new drugs. This was followed by an interactive Q&A session and tea reception, creating a relaxed setting for further conversation and idea-sharing.

Through this visit, we aimed to demonstrate just how relevant science education is to the real world and inspire teachers to lead discussions on how to bring science to life in their classrooms.

By connecting with educators, we hope to make science relatable and empower teachers to nurture a new generation of curious and innovative learners. Events like these highlight our commitment to outreach and our contribution to the science community.

Durian Party: Enjoying Good Company and Fruity Treats

At CPR, sharing a meal can strengthen connections. That is why our first ever Durian Party was a resounding success! Held on 27 August 2024, the event transformed our premises into a mini tropical fiesta, filled with platters of the King of Fruits, and other tropical fruits.

As we gathered around the tables, we quickly discovered the different varieties of durian, including the ever-popular Mao Shan Wang, the luscious Red Prawn and the creamy D-13 – each with its own distinct flavor and texture. We couldn’t resist comparing notes on our individual favorites.

Besides the durian experience, we indulged in an array of tropical fruits such as the rambutan, mangosteen, and longan. We also enjoyed sipping on refreshing coconut drinks, which offered a cooling respite from the warm weather and were the perfect complement to the evening’s tropical feast.

The event was a fantastic opportunity for bonding as colleagues from different teams mingled and engaged in light-hearted conversations. We hope to share more of such moments together.  

Special thanks to the Wellness Club for organizing this enjoyable event!

Celebrating 12 Years in Singapore

To mark CPR’s 12th anniversary in Singapore, our Rec Club pulled out all the stops to organize a series of fun and memorable events.

We kicked things off with an exciting Teambuilding Event on 27 June 2024 that captured the spirit of working together. Tackling an Escape Room and Treasure Hunt challenge, we split up into teams and raced to complete missions in the fastest time possible. The challenges brought out our problem-solving skills, and in the end, the winning teams walked away with fantastic prizes.

After all the excitement, we shifted gears to unwind over refreshing drinks and bonded over a variety of games such as bowling, darts, and arcade favorites, making the rest of the day a more relaxing experience.

Two weeks later, we held our much-anticipated CPR 12th Anniversary Dinner on 12 July 2024 at the Sofitel Singapore City Center. With a ‘Celebrity Night’ theme, the event was all about glitz and glamour.

Besides the sumptuous 4-course meal, the evening’s highlights included a photo booth where everyone could capture memories with their colleagues. For that extra pizazz, we even had a dress-up station that came complete with props so we could add more sparkle to our outfits. A roving photographer scouted for the Best-Dressed contestants, with the winners receiving the title of Mr and Ms Chugai on stage.

A series of “Minute to Win It” games such as Chopstick Transfer and Movie Charades added an extra layer of excitement to the evening’s festivities. One of the evening’s standout moments was the lively dance performance by our talented new expat employees, who dazzled everyone with their moves!

We took a moment to celebrate our top research teams, who were applauded for their stellar achievements. Our CEO Mr Hideaki Shimada also took center stage to cut the cake, symbolizing 12 years of teamwork and success together. The night ended on a celebratory note, with a toast for another memorable year ahead.

A big thanks to the Rec Club for pulling off such a grand celebration! Here’s to many more years of success at CPR!