Singapore, 20 September 2016 – ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (ASLAN), a biotech company focused on the development of immunotherapies and targeted agents for Asia prevalent tumour types, today announced that it will conduct a dedicated training workshop for participants of the SPARK Taiwan programme on 22-23 September, mentoring and equipping them with important skills for their forthcoming business pitches at the BIO Investor Forum in San Francisco later this year.
The SPARK Taiwan programme is an initiative supervised by Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology, and executed by Taiwan Supra Integration and Incubation Center (Si2C) and Science & Technology Policy Research and Information Center (STPI), NARLabs that aims to develop and promote Taiwan’s industry capabilities in biomedical technology. The SPARK Taiwan programme provides assistance in commercial planning to those in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry with potential products preparing for market entry. Introduced from Stanford SPARK and launched in 2013, the SPARK Taiwan programme has over 600 individuals from universities, research institutions and medical centres working on translating research projects into products.
ASLAN will conduct a workshop led by Dr Carl Firth, Chief Executive Officer, to provide training and coaching to participants on core competencies including negotiation strategy, data presentation and pitch development through the use of simulation exercises and team based activities. Participants will also be briefed on key industry trends, be exposed to forecasting and market analysis tools, as well as given feedback on their business development plans.
ASLAN will also sponsor prizes worth a total of NT$20,000 for the workshop’s most outstanding participants. The monetary prize will be presented to the teams at the workshop who negotiate the best in-licensing and out-licensing deals.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Carl Firth, Chief Executive Officer of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals said, “We are pleased to be able to share our insights and experience with the participants of the SPARK programme. The workshop is one of several ways in which ASLAN is helping to build the capabilities of some of the most promising individuals in Taiwan’s biotechnology sector, supporting the local ecosystem and sharing experiences in engaging international partners and investors. ASLAN is delighted to be able to mentor and offer guidance to the participants as they prepare to translate their innovative ideas into reality.”
About ASLAN Pharmaceuticals
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals is an oncology focused biotechnology company developing a portfolio of immunotherapies and targeted drugs, focusing on Asia prevalent tumour types. Led by a highly experienced management team with global pharmaceutical expertise, ASLAN is headquartered in Singapore with a platform which reaches across the region via its offices in Taiwan, China and Australia, enabling the Company to conduct and support regional clinical development programmes. The Company’s proprietary pipeline of 4 development-stage candidates addresses multiple indications including gastric and breast cancers and inflammatory diseases. ASLAN’s most advanced compounds are in phase 2: varlitinib (ASLAN001), a pan-HER inhibitor with phase 2 data in gastric cancer, being developed in cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer and gastric cancer; and ASLAN002, which targets RON, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and cMET. www.aslanpharma.com
