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.

Beyond the Classroom: A Day in the Lab

In April 2024, we hosted a group of 20 students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) for a lab visit. The aim of this visit was twofold: to provide students with insights into the field of drug discovery and to forge closer connections with the academic community.

The tour kicked off with a warm welcome from our CEO, who introduced CPR and provided an overview of our work. Following this, one of our research managers gave a presentation on the drug discovery process, explaining each stage from target identification to lead discovery and lead optimization.

As part of the programme, we invited several employees, who are also alumni of NUS, to share their experiences of working in CPR.

The lab tour formed the most interesting part of the visit, as the students could witness firsthand how the scientists used state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technologies to develop new medicines. The visit wrapped up with refreshments and an informal networking session, giving the students an opportunity to interact with our team members.

This collaborative effort with NUS underscores our commitment to encouraging young minds to pursue their dreams in research and innovation! We look forward to many more such collaborations with academia in the future.

Nurturing Careers in Science: Welcoming NTU Students to Our Lab

On 11 September 2023, we warmly welcomed students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to our premises for a lab visit. The visit formed part of our annual university-industry collaboration initiative, to foster greater ties with academia and to serve as a catalyst for innovation and talent development. 

The students had the opportunity to observe how cutting-edge antibody research is conducted in our lab. Through this in-person  experience, they acquired a deeper understanding of the experimental processes and scientific methodologies used in research.

During the visit, we also held a presentation to introduce our antibody research and provided opportunities for the students to interact with us and ask questions. The students were able to learn about different career paths in science, gain insights into day-to-day research work and learn about the challenges and rewards of scientific inquiry.

We hope that this exposure has broadened the students’ perspectives, fostered a greater appreciation for the transformative impact of research and innovation, and inspired them to pursue a career in science.

First-Ever Family Day at CPR: A Day In the Life of a Scientist

This year, CPR organised its first-ever Family Day, providing a unique opportunity for our employees to introduce their families to our workplace environment. A total of 54 family members (comprising children and spouses) joined us at our company on 8 September 2023 for a day of fun-filled activities.

A joint effort between the Wellness Club and Rec Club, this employee engagement exercise was designed to give family members a glimpse into the daily lives of CPR employees. The event also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a harmonious work-life balance.

Themed “A Day in the Life of a Scientist”, the well thought out program for the day included a guided lab tour for 30 children. During the tour, the children were able to use lab equipment such as microscopes to study microscopy images of cells.

Our budding young scientists also had the chance to participate in hands-on mini experiments. Under the guidance of our researchers, they learnt how to separate components of a mixture through filter paper chromatography, as well as use ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda and food coloring to make a mini volcano. In another experiment, the children added drops of soap and food coloring to milk to observe the interplay of colors and patterns that formed due to the separation of water and fat molecules.

Besides the science-based activities, there were also other fun activities such as a movie screening, games and arts stations, as well as balloon twisting, to keep our young guests entertained.

Each child received a goodie bag filled with party favors and assorted treats. At the photo booth, the families also took home special keepsakes of the day.

Overall, our inaugural Family Day was a resounding success and allowed us to share our passion for our work with the next generation! We look forward to continuing this tradition in the coming years.

Building Stronger Bonds Through Team-Building

Teamwork plays a crucial role in helping us to achieve our aspirations. That is why, on 17 July 2023, 112 of CPR employees headed to the SuperPark recreation complex at Suntec City for an exciting team-building outing.

The day began with some light-hearted ice-breaking activities to energize everyone and facilitate interaction between colleagues from different departments. This got everyone in the mood for the rest of the day’s adventures.

Following the icebreakers, we were divided into teams to take on a series of exciting challenges. Each team had to navigate 15 stations to earn valuable points, with the 7 top-performing teams having the honour of claiming exciting prizes. We had to work together to conquer the various challenges and earn as many points as possible.

From street soccer and street basketball to obstacle courses involving the trampoline, pedal car, and more, the various games were all designed to encourage close collaboration. For example, the street soccer activity had an intriguing twist: in each team, two members were blindfolded, and only they were allowed to kick the ball. The remaining teammates had the challenging task of providing verbal instructions to guide their blindfolded counterparts on where to position themselves and where to take their shots.

Many colleagues demonstrated their athletic prowess, leadership and ability to work synergistically during the challenges. Throughout the day, cheers and laughter echoed through the park as the teams gave their all. Those moments served as a reminder that when we come together as a team, anything is possible. The team-building experience left us more closely bonded, and we will certainly carry that spirit of teamwork and camaraderie back with us to our work environment.

Marking Our 11th Anniversary in Retro Style

On 28 June 2023, we celebrated CPR’s 11th anniversary with a retro-themed night. Held at The Glasshouse at ANDAZ Singapore, the event was a whirlwind of nostalgia as we rocked to classic songs from yesteryear while tucking into a delicious 4-course dinner.

At the reception, we were presented with a variety of of classic-old school games to choose from. Laughter filled the air as we relived our childhood moments playing beloved games such as Gameboy, Kendama, Ddakji, Reversi, Jenga, Uno and more.

A retro party is not complete without old-school snacks. The “Scratch and Win Old-School Snacks” station brought back sweet memories of favourite childhood treats and food such as traditional iced gem biscuits and satay.

The photo booth was a big hit too, as we posed with retro-themed accessories and props. It was the perfect way to capture unforgettable memories with our colleagues and bring home photo souvenirs from the night.

A highlight of the night was the “Best Dressed” contest. Our colleagues took the retro theme to heart and showed up in stylish vintage-inspired outfits. The finalists were decked out in polka dots, disco-inspired attire and even a kimono!

The event was not complete without a lucky draw and this year’s lucky winners walked away with amazing prizes.

Overall, the Retro Night was an amazing night to remember. We certainly strengthened our bonds and created fun memories. We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Rec Club for organizing this fantastic event!

Inspiring Students to Pursue Careers in Science

At CPR, we regularly work together with institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for students to gain industry exposure as part of beyond classroom learning.   

On 13 March 2023, a group of 16 students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) visited CPR for such a purpose. The group comprised undergraduate students enrolled in the Molecular Biotechnology Module, as well as post-graduate students enrolled in the Masters in Biotechnology degree programme.  

The visit was organised to provide the students with insights into the “bench-to-bedside” process. This refers to the journey of taking a new drug from early research in the lab to its development and testing before being made available to patients.  

Through presentations, we introduced CPR and our work on antibody research to the students. This enabled them to understand our core technology and niche in the market. In a presentation on the drug development process, we also provided them with greater insights on how scientific discoveries are translated from laboratory to product. The visit culminated in a lab tour where they had the opportunity to observe our researchers at work in our state-of-art facility.  

We hope that through this visit, the students will have a better sense of how the industry works and be more aware of the types of roles that will be available to them after graduation.  

Through initiatives such as these, we aim to contribute to Singapore’s science ecosystem by encouraging the next generation of aspiring scientists to pursue a career in this field.  

Staying Connected with Former Colleagues Through the CPR Alumni Network  

In June 2022, we launched the CPR Alumni Network on our LinkedIn page to provide a platform for our former colleagues to maintain relationships and stay connected. Through this network, fellow alumni can reconnect with each other, exchange knowledge on relevant developments in science and keep up-to-date on the latest news, as well as career opportunities, at CPR.  

On 24 February 2023, we organised our first-ever CPR Alumni Networking event to provide an opportunity for our alumni to catch up with past and present colleagues.  

The event kicked off with a Social Hour in the evening at CPR’s office in Synapse. Attended by a group of more than 10 alumni, this provided a chance for them to re-establish connections over light snacks and refreshments.  

After an hour, we adjourned to a bistro 5 minutes away from the office where we continued to bond while enjoying a delicious meal. Our former colleagues appreciated the chance to share experiences and reconnect in a fun and relaxing environment.  

Having recently celebrated our 10th anniversary in Singapore, we would like to express our gratitude for the expertise and dedication of our alumni community who have contributed to our growth and success over the years.  

Stay tuned for more exciting activities planned for our alumni to keep them connected and engaged.

Ushering in the Year of the Rabbit  

2022/ 2023 Rec club committee

On 3 February 2023, we held Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations in the office. To usher in the Year of the Rabbit in style, we were encouraged to wear auspicious red!   

The morning got off to a roaring start with an energetic lion dance performance, complete with colourful costumes and the rousing beat of drums and cymbals.  

As part of the festivities, Cai Shen (the God of Wealth) also graced us with his presence to wish us abundance for the year ahead.  

Of course, no CNY gathering is complete without the customary Lo Hei. As we tossed the yu sheng higher and higher, we wished each other good fortune, abundance and luck for the year ahead.  

Festive Fun: Christmas Cheer at CPR  

2022/ 2023 Rec club committee with Santa and Santarina

The year-end annual Christmas party is always a great chance for CPR employees to engage with each other and spread the holiday cheer. Our 2022 Christmas party took place on the evening of 5 December. From delicious bites to festive-themed activities, there was fun all round.   

We engaged in festive trivia by playing Christmas-themed quizzes and “guess the song” games, with F&B vouchers as prizes.  Our very own “Santa” and “Santarina” also distributed Christmas cookies and chilled juices to everyone.  

As part of the festivities, we also announced the winner of the “Xmas Ornament Ball Design Competition.” Using the materials provided in advance, our employees got their creative juices flowing as they sought to put their own spin in the design of their ornament balls. From whimsical and fancy designs to cute and intricate creations, we were certainly impressed with the artistic flair of our employees. The Top 10 designs were chosen through a voting process during the evening. The winners received attractive prizes and their ornament balls were chosen to be displayed in the office Christmas tree.  

Overall, our annual Christmas party rounded off the year perfectly and brought colleagues from different departments together for an evening of festive fun and merriment.