Author: cheng.sp@chugai-pharmabody.com

Innovation happens when industry and academia come together.

That’s why we were honoured to participate in a guest lecture series for the National Universtity of Singapore’s Master of Science in Biotechnology programme – a dynamic course designed to equip future biotech leaders with both technical expertise and practical know-how. Most notably, it fosters strong engagement with industry players – something we are proud to support.

As part of this, our team was invited to share insights directly with students through two guest lectures and an in-depth industry visit.

On 4 April 2025, Dr Feng Shu, PhD, Researcher Manager from our Automation & Data Management and Lead Optimization Units, delivered a lecture titled Recycling^® and Sweeping^® antibody technology. She shared how these innovative antibody technologies have enabled the targeting of previously untargetable antigens and how this has been used to develop novel drugs to treat diseases.

Following this, on 8 April 2025, Dr Eric Ng, a Senior Scientist from our Lead Optimization Unit presented a session on ‘Bispecific and Multi-Specific antibody technology’. He introduced students to exciting developments in therapeutic development and walked the class through how these monoclonal antibodies can bind multiple targets at the same time, increasing therapeutic potential. This technology has led to advancements in the treatment options in oncology and immunology.

To reinforce the connection between classroom learning and the real-world, we also hosted an on-site industry visit to our company on 11 April 2025. After an introduction to what we do, the students visited our labs, gaining firsthand exposure to the equipment and safety protocols that underpin day-to-day research.

The visit wrapped up with a Q&A sessions, with questions asked on our innovation culture and the reality of working in a research environment.

Our ongoing engagement with students has resulted in stronger ties between academia and industry and serves as a clear reminder of the value in working together to advance both education and the future of the biotech industry .

On 7 April 2025, we had the opportunity to host an industry visit for 11 students from the National University of Singapore (NUS).

This was a chance for the students to connect the dots between academic studies and real-world applications in the biopharma industry. It was also a valuable moment for us to share our expertise and showcase our work.

The group of 11 consisted of undergraduates enrolled in the Molecular Biotechnology module, as well as postgraduate students from the Master of Science in Biotechnology programme at NUS.

We started the visit with a brief background of what we do as part of the Chugai Group. Scientists and Research Associates from our Lead Optimization and Pharmacology units then gave the students a history and overview of our drug discovery process, from early-stage research and target identification to clinical trials.

They also provided an explanation of our proprietary antibody engineering technologies such as our Recycling Antibody Technology which has been used to develop innovative drugs that can deliver better clinical outcomes for patients.

Our Safety Team then walked the students through the rigorous safety standards we maintain in our laboratories and scientific work, which is integral to successful drug development.

The lab tour was a highlight as the students could take a look what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to drug discovery. Seeing the throughput screening machines and other equipment gave them a sense of how technology plays a critical role in drug discovery.

The visit concluded with an informal Q&A session. The students were eager to learn more about the industry, with many taking the opportunity to ask follow-up questions with NUS alumni who are now working in our company.

It’s always a pleasure to welcome science students to our space, where we can contribute to the development of the scientific community and help shape the careers of future scientists.

On 12 March 2025, we delivered a guest lecture at the Department of Pharmacology at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine as part of the postgraduate module Current Practices in Biotechnology.

The module is designed to bring real-world industry insight into the academic environment for full-time Master’s and PhD students.

It provides the postgraduate students with the oportunity to learn directly from biotech professionals, exploring the journey of turning lab research into market innovations and the pathways from academia to industry.

Our speaker, Adrian Wee, Director and Research Manager at the Translational Pharmacology unit, delivered a 2-hour presentation titled ‘Harnessing Antibodies for Therapeutics’ with up to 50 postgraduate students in attendance.

He provided a detailed explanation on our company’s core work – particularly in the area of antibody technology and the role it plays in drug development. He also provided an insight into current industry practices and the day-to-day realities of working in applied research.

We view opportunities like this as a way to actively contribute to Singapore’s science ecosystem – sharing our passions, insights, and experience with the next generation of researchers.

It’s also a valuable touchpoint for us to engage directly with young scientists. By understanding their goals, we can also adapt our hiring approach to better align with their interests and career trajectories. We hope this opens doors to future collaborations and potential hires.

On 10 March 2025, we hosted a visit from Waseda Shibuya Senior High School, a Singapore-based Japanese school affiliated with Waseda University in Japan. The group comprised 34 students and 3 accompanying teachers.

The visit was part of the school’s initiative to give students a deeper understanding of career opportunities with Japanese companies that have a global presence, particularly in manufacturing or research. It was open to students from both the sciences and humanities.

After a warm welcome, we kickstarted the visit with a career talk by Dr Zulkarnain Harfuddin, Head, Partnering and Business Development, who spearheads open innovation initiatives to drive drug discovery. He provided an overview of our company’s work, diving into the research process and shedding light on the essential qualities that make a successful science researcher.

Following this, our CEO Dr Hideaki Shimada delivered an engaging presentation, sharing his personal career journey from his academic beginnings to his current leadership role. He spoke openly about maintaining a sense of purpose in one’s work, drawing from his own experiences at the helm of CPR.

The students were then taken on a guided tour of our lab, where they got a close-up look at the advanced equipment used in our R&D work. It was an eye-opening tour for them as they could see how science comes to life at our facility.

The visit concluded with a Q&A session. Students posed a range of questions, which were answered by our research team. 

We’re always glad to play a role in supporting the local science ecosystem. Hosting the students and staff of Waseda Shibuya Senior high School was a great opportunity to share what we do!

Held from 3 – 5 March 2025 at the ParkRoyal Collection, Marina Bay, the 4^th BioCentury-BayHelix East-West Biopharma Summit: Singapore was a must-attend forum for C-suite leaders, investors and policymakers shaping the next era of biopharma innovation.

We were honored to participate in this prestigious forum, with our CEO Dr Hideaki Shimada delivering a keynote presentation on 5 March 2025 for the session ‘Role Models in the Arc of Innovation’, moderated by Simone Fishburn, BioCentury Inc’s VP & Editor.

During his address, Dr Shimada shared how CPR’s commitment to innovation has driven breakthrough advances in drug development with a global impact.

He described how CPR has harnessed antibody engineering and cyclic peptide platforms to drive innovative research into treatments for a wide range of diseases. These efforts have led to the development of novel therapeutics that address some of the most urgent medical needs.

In his keynote, Dr Shimada reflected on CPR as a role model in Asia’s ‘Arc of Innovation’, noting that our unwavering focus on invention has enabled us to play a role in shaping the development of medical solutions.

Dr Shimada also highlighted that Singapore’s strong R&D ecosystem has been key to our success, offering talent, infrastructure and support to drive collaboration and innovation.

Overall, the East-West Biopharma Summit was a valuable opportunity for leaders from the biopharma industry to network, debate strategies to develop the industry, and to address pressing global healthcare challenges.

Career fairs at universities are a great way for us to spot emerging talent, build our brand and connect directly with students who are exploring their career options.

That is why our HR team participated in the NUS Career Fest 2025 on 18 February 2025 and the NTU Career Fair 2025 on 13 February 2025.

In particular, this was an opportunity for us to engage with students from Life Science or Chemistry backgrounds.

By sharing the work we do and showcasing possible career paths within our company, we hoped to raise awareness among students and encourage them to consider CPR when exploring their career options after graduation. We were also looking to fill a few Research Assistant positions and this was a suitable platform to meet potential candidates.

The turnout was strong at both career fairs, with students stopping by our booth to find out more about career opportunities at CPR. Many of the students who spoke with our HR and R&D teams were keen to know more about day-to-day responsibilities, our work culture, and the job application process.

It was great to share insights and give them a better sense of what starting a career with us could be like. To add a fun touch to the interactions, we also gave out popular corporate gifts such as tote bags, laptop stands and notebooks.

We saw an increase in CV submissions during and after the events. By participating in both events, we not only built stronger brand recognition among students, but also opened doors for them to explore opportunities with us.

In January 2025, we hosted a lab tour for a group of ten Secondary 4 and 5 students from the Assumption English School (AES). The visit was part of the school’s annual Education and Career Guidance initiative which organizes job observation experiences to prepare graduating students for their post-secondary education and potential career paths.

We designed a programme to give the students exposure to the biopharmaceutical industry, so that they would have the opportunity to learn about various career pathways, industry innovations and the role of technology in the drug discovery process.

The day began with an introduction to CPR, where students gained insight into our work and impact in the sector. Our employees then shared their career journeys – offering perspectives on their educational backgrounds, professional growth, and experiences within their respective units. These sharing sessions gave the students a clearer understanding of the diverse opportunities available in the industry.

During the lab tour, the students also observed research in action, and saw the advanced technology and equipment used in our daily work. Many found this eye-opening, gaining a deeper appreciation for how pharmaceutical companies operate and how research is conducted. Some even shared that the experience strengthened their interest in pursuing science-related courses.

The visit wrapped up with an interactive quiz and discussion over tea, giving students a chance to engage further with our team. Many found the visit insightful and inspiring.

By opening our doors to students, we hope to encourage more young minds to explore careers in science and technology. We look forward to hosting more student groups in the future and support career education in meaningful ways.

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.