Why did you join the Roche Perspectives Program?
After over a decade of training in science and medicine, I hoped to move into the healthcare business. The Roche Perspectives Program attracted me because of the ultimate freedom it offered in learning and practice. I largely designed my own path in rotation assignment selection; and I wanted to have a variety of very different learning areas but all confined in commercial. This program is simply the only one in the healthcare industry to indulge this. Ultimate freedom in self-motivated exploration, this is very much reminiscent of what my mentor gave me during my doctorate study, which essentially shaped my philosophy of doing science. The Perspectives Program, in a similar fashion, may shape my concept of doing business.
What was your most remarkable experience in terms of the challenging roles you have had so far?
To be part of a team that potentially revolutionises cancer treatment. Cancer immunotherapy which utilises our body’s own defense system to fight against cancerous cells is one of the epic centres in global cancer therapeutic development. As an international product manager in the anti-PDL1 brand team, together with other colleagues, we drive the commercial activities, prepare for global launch of our first cancer immunotherapy medicine at Roche in this, especially in such a competitive space.
How did you choose this rotation?
I chose this rotation for three reasons. First, the rotation gives me a glimpse of launching an impactful medicine. Second, my academic training in cancer immunology enables me to add value to the team. Third, my previous rotation with Roche Tissue Diagnostics has an inherent linkage with the launch of this medicine due to the biomarker use.
What makes the Perspectives Program so unique?
Among all of the similar development programs in large pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies, Roche Perspectives is the only one that allows participating fellows to rotate in any function, business unit or geographic location, which effectively means that you can do almost anything anywhere on the planet in healthcare. The opportunity itself is attractive enough, but the fundamental benefit is to allow us to have a unique set of experience in the entire pharmaceutical and diagnostics world.
