Category: Company Events

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!

To mark CPR’s 12^th 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 12^th 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!  

What does it take to be a scientist and innovator? We sought to answer this and other burning questions students had when we participated in two separate university career fairs in February 2024.

As advocates for a career in science, the NUS Career Fest 2024 and the hybrid NTU Career Fair 2024 provided a platform for us to engage with students who had an interest in this field. At each of these events, we met with over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students who stopped by our booths.

Our participation at the career fairs provided an opportunity for us to share more about CPR’s values, ethos and company culture, including our mission to create innovative drugs that can meet unmet medical needs. We also highlighted the opportunities that were available to fresh graduates in CPR and addressed any questions they had.

Overall, it was a pleasure to connect with the students and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to inspire the next generation of innovators! We were struck by the students’ curiosity and enthusiasm, and we wish them success in their future endeavors!

The Lunar New Year festivities are an annual tradition that we look forward to each year. Thanks to our Rec Club, our office was buzzing in excitement when we came together to celebrate this festival on 20 February 2024. We enjoyed bonding over engaging team activities while savouring an array of traditional snacks and treats such as pineapple tarts and loveletters.

To mark an auspicious start to the Year of the Dragon, we were treated to a lively lion dance performance that filled the office with energy. The lions dazzled with their acrobatic prowess, while skillfully peeling and tossing the lettuce and mandarin oranges that were offered to them. This symbolic gesture represents the spreading of wealth and fortune.

Another cherished activity which we enjoyed was the Lo Hei! Shouts of “Huat Ah” filled the air as we tossed the Yu Sheng salad higher and higher. This was a joyful occasion as we wished everyone prosperity and abundance for the year ahead. It is moments like these that strengthen the bonds among colleagues!

Our 2023 Christmas celebrations provided a chance for us to celebrate our achievements for the year and embrace the holiday spirit alongside our colleagues.

To get into the festive spirit, we held a Christmas Tree Design Competition in the office. With the ornaments, bells and ribbons provided, different units showcased their creativity and collaborative spirit in decorating miniature Christmas trees.

We then took things up a notch with a Christmas Slumber Party held at the M Hotel on 7 December 2023. Dressed in our comfiest onesies, warmest attire and Christmas-themed sweaters, we enjoyed a night filled with laughter, delicious food and exciting tabletop games such as Jenga.

The photo booth turned out to be a hit as we captured cherished memories of the fun-filled night.

A highlight of the evening was the best-dressed competition, where participants flaunted their best festive fashion with flair. The lucky draw also added some excitement to the evening as we waited to see who would walk away with prizes such as a staycation and various electronic goods.

Amidst the fun, we also took the time to recognise and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our research teams. Their achievements have certainly contributed to CPR’s success in 2023.

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.

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.

On 28 June 2023, we celebrated CPR’s 11^th 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!

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 10^th 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.

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.