For three days in Bled, talented STEM students from across Europe came together at BioCamp, hosted by Novartis Slovenia and Novartis Austria. Through expert discussions, collaborative work and a hands-on business challenge, participants explored how science, technology, data and collaboration can contribute to the future of care for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Under the theme Reinventing MS Care Across Modalities and Patients, BioCamp brought together students, Novartis experts, healthcare professionals and a person living with MS to explore different perspectives on multiple sclerosis care and the future of healthcare.
Through talks and discussions, participants gained insights into the journey from scientific innovation to its potential impact for patients, while also exploring the importance of collaboration across different disciplines.
From knowledge to new ideas
A central part of BioCamp was the Business Case Challenge, where participants worked in multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions addressing challenges in multiple sclerosis care. Supported by mentors and drawing on insights gained throughout the programme, the teams developed and presented their ideas to a Board of Investors. The challenge encouraged participants to combine different areas of expertise, think beyond conventional boundaries and translate knowledge into practical ideas.
Recognising outstanding ideas and contributions
The winning team impressed the Board of Investors with a solution recognised for its creativity, relevance and potential impact. The winning group included Carsten Damm, Iga Grzadzielewska, Andrea Benković, Michael Schäfer, Eva Rajh and Sotirios Touliopoulos.
Individual awards were also presented to Tanvi Kulkarni and Andreas Höpfel for their contributions throughout the programme.
Reflecting on the experience, Tanvi Kulkarni said:
“BioCamp was an incredibly inspiring experience that challenged me to turn ideas into impact, learn from brilliant people and lead by ensuring every voice was heard. Being recognised as one of the winners among so many talented participants was a truly special moment.”
Andreas Höpfel added:
“BioCamp was an engaging, enjoyable and challenging experience that offered a valuable opportunity to learn beyond academia and hear directly from a patient. Being selected as an individual winner was a wonderful surprise, especially as I saw our success first and foremost as a team achievement.”
Investing in the next generation of innovators
BioCamp creates an opportunity for young STEM talents to engage with real-world healthcare challenges, exchange perspectives with experts and develop ideas through multidisciplinary collaboration.
By connecting science, technology and emerging talent, programmes such as BioCamp help encourage the next generation to explore how their knowledge and ideas can contribute to the future of healthcare.
