With just under 2 weeks left of my second co-op experience, I thought I
would reflect on what I have learned at Novartis.

Going into this industry co-op, I somewhat knew how much time, effort
and money went into the development of a successful drug. I had no idea
what really has to be done to develop a drug and make it to market. For
one drug to make it to the pharmacy shelves, it takes millions, and
some times hundreds of millions of dollars, decades of dedication,
thousands of failures, support, and most importantly; luck. Drugs must
first go through vigorous toxicology studies in animals before they can
be put into man. Usually to successfully test one drug, it takes close
to 1,000 compounds to develop into one usable drug that is safe and
effective. Failure is one of the best ways to gather useful
information. Full development from an idea to a marketable drug takes
thousands of people who are completely dedicated to that particular
project.

It takes 7-15 years for a drug to be developed, tested in animals,
tested in humans, and approved by the FDA, and into the hands of the
patients.

The most interesting aspect of my co-op so far, has definitely been
incorporating my Dana Farber work into what I have learned at Novartis.
Between school, and these two companies, I feel I have a general idea
of how the pharmaceutical industry works. Working on protocols for drug
trials for different indications, and then actually making some of
these investigational drugs at Dana Farber is such amazing experience
for a 20 year old pharmacy student.

I feel that I have also learned so much about professionalism and how
the pharma business is run. My interest in pursuing an MBA has only
grown since working at my two co-op jobs. Also, the money that I have
earned is a very nice incentive for a “strapped for cash” college
student.