Celebrating a Decade of Excellence Highlights from the 10th PDA Singapore Chapter Anniversary Symposium
We are thrilled to share the success of the PDA Singapore Chapter’s 10th Anniversary Symposium,
a momentous celebration of the PDA Singapore Chapter’s remarkable journey over the past decade. On October 17, 2023, we brought together seasoned professionals to explore the theme of “Operationalizing Digitalization and Automation in Pharma and Healthcare.”
Reflecting on our journey as one of the PDA chapters since our inception on September 20, 2013, 45 pharmaceutical professionals in Singapore helped establish the PDA Singapore Chapter, which is the 24th global chapter of PDA. The event had over 100 attendees and served as a testament to the PDA Singapore Chapter’s unwavering commitment to curating thought-provoking scientific content, connecting “Science, People, and Regulations.”
Figure 1 PDA Singapore 10th Anniversary Winning Logo Design
As part of the celebration, we organized a 10th anniversary logo design competition among our students and Early Career Professionals. The winning design by Yuqian Huang, a 4th year pharmacy undergrad from the National University of Singapore, visualized digitalization’s role in seamlessly connecting industry advancement and patients. The winning design featured on our commemorative doorgift, which was a handy mobile phone holder (see Figure 1).
The event featured speakers from a diverse background: Wilbur Ho (Amgen), Enxhi Gjini (Takeda), Sam Laermans (NNIT), Nicholas Yeo (Johnson & Johnson), Gaston Loo (ESCO Aster), Anke Hossfeld (Merck KGaA), Carsten Jasper (Charles River Laboratories), Subrata Chakraborty (INVOR) and Mark Chua. The speakers shared experiences and case studies in the deployment of digitalization solutions in pharma. The sessions also sparked engaging discussions on current topics, shedding light on how various companies are forging the path forward in an ever-evolving landscape.
Our heartfelt gratitude extends to our generous sponsors, such as ELPRO Global, Merck Group, No Deviation, Quascenta Pte. Ltd., STERIS, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Workforce Singapore, for supporting the event. Special recognition is also extended to the event Steering Committee led by Board Member Li Wei Chan, supported by the organizing committee of Board Members and volunteers: Andiyanto Sutandar (NNIT), Samuel Tan (Novartis), G Somasundaram (Merck), Hardik Takwani (GSK), Li Hui L. (Lonza), Rennie Neo (Hummingbird Bioscience), Pao Chun Lin (GSK) and Shiming Chau (ScinoPharm Taiwan Ltd.).
The event culminated on a high note with a round of networking drinks, fostering connections and camaraderie. As we celebrate a decade of achievements, we eagerly anticipate another 10 years of excellence, innovation and collaboration in the Singapore pharmaceutical industry.
About the Author
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Emily Cheah, PhD
Chea leads site operations in Singapore and oversees the regional P&L overall operations in various APAC locations, ensuring quality, compliance and customer satisfaction. Chea has a proven track record of building and leading high-performing and inclusive teams, turning around a struggling SME and facilitating its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories. Chea has successfully driven collaborations across all levels and functions by adopting a transparent approach and communicating with intent. In addition, Chea is passionate about creating a thriving biomedical ecosystem through volunteering, serving as the President of the Parenteral Drug Association’s Singapore Chapter, a member of the PDA’s Scientific Advisory Board and APAC Conference Steering Committee and a mentor for NUS InSPIRxe.