The 2nd Singapore Life Science Case Competition

In November 2021, BCS collaborated with L.E.K. Consulting Singapore to host its 2^nd case competition after the success of the 1^st Singapore Life Science Case Competition in 2018.

The Life Science Case Competition was open to participants from any professional background, other than current or past full-time professional consultants. The participants were tasked to form teams of 3-4 members and work together to come up with a solution to a business problem in the pharmaceutical area within a timeframe of 3 weeks. The final submission was to be in a form of a 10-min 10-slide video presentation. The top 4 submissions were then chosen to be in the finals to pitch their solution to the judges in person, and to address any queries in a questions-and-answers (Q&A) session. The winning team was awarded SGD500 cash prize, an exclusive tour of the LE.K. Consulting Singapore office and a sponsored lunch with L.E.K. associates.

This competition was a good opportunity for both scientists and business professionals to try their hand at solving business problems in the field of pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Driven by a strong commitment to public education, BCS in collaboration with L.E.K. Consulting aimed to provide an educational and wholesome experience for every participant joining the competition. The competition was divided into 3 parts: case solving workshop, preliminary round and final round. Given the COVID situation in Singapore in 2021, the case solving workshop and preliminary round was conducted virtually and the final round was done online and in person.

 

Part 1: Case Solving Workshop (supported by L.E.K. Consulting Singapore)

As the participants came from different professional backgrounds, the competition started with a case solving workshop where Dr. Siang Yun Ang, Life Sciences Manager, L.E.K. Consulting Singapore and Mr. Dominic Ng, Senior Associate Consultant, L.E.K. Consulting Singapore introduced case solving approaches used by L.E.K. teams, as well as helpful tips and tricks to tackle business problems. The workshop also covered a much-needed power-point skills lesson to help participants to prepare a slide deck that was expected from a management consulting team. The case solving workshop also gave the participants opportunities to network and find team members to tackle the case together.

 

Part 2: Preliminary Round

After the Case Solving Workshop, the case brief was released to all team via email and the teams were given 2 weeks to tackle the case and submit their solution in a form of a 10-slide power point slide deck and a 10-mintue video presentation. All submissions were evaluated by BCS and L.E.K. and the top 4 teams moved on to the Finals.

 

Part 3: The Final

Prior to the final presentation, the 4 finalists were given detailed feedback on their preliminary round submission and were given a week to improve on their presentation. In the final presentation, teams were given 15 mins to present, followed by a 5 min Q&A with the judging panel to battle for the coveted prize. The judges comprised of  Mr. Fabio La Mola, Partner and Global Healthcare Co-Head for Asia-Pacific, L.E.K. Consulting, Ms. Hwee Tee Poh, Managing Director, Novartis Singapore and Asian Emerging Markets; Country President, Singapore, Ms. Clare M Cutler, VP and General Manager for Asia Region, Allergan Aesthetics and Dr. Rena Dharmawan, Consultant Surgeon, Head & Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS); Assistant Professor (Clinical Innovation) & Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Duke-NUS Medical School. The event was held in a hybrid format where the finalists pitched their solutions to the judges at a physical venue and the rest of the participants could attend the presentations via zoom. This provided a great learning opportunity for all participants.

Anni Wang, BCS President, welcomed the judges and participants to the final round

Participants presenting their ideas to convince the judges of the solution

 

Overall, the competition was well received by participants from diverse background in Singapore. The competition would not be possible with the technical and expertise support from L.E.K. Consulting Singapore and the judges panel. Mr. Fabio La Mola, Partner and Global Healthcare Co-Head for Asia-Pacific, L.E.K. Consulting believed that the competition has benefited many participants.

 

The judges attentively listening to the proposed solutions

 

The winning team (three in the middle) of the 2^nd Singapore Life Science Case Competition and the judges: (on the left) Ms. Clare M Cutler and Mr. Fabio La Mola, (on the right) Ms. Hwee Tee Poh and Dr. Rena Dharmawan

 

The team at BCS would like to thank all participants for their active participation and hard work dedicated to the competition. We hope that this competition has been helpful for individuals who are considering a career in consulting. We look forward to organizing and hosting events which can engage the biotech community in the future.

By Ha Lam on behalf of BCS