The 2009 first place winners of the Biotech and Healthcare case competition sponsored by Genzyme. From left to right Michelle Huie, Elliott Hillback (Senior Vice President of Genzyme), Deepika Singh, Anisha Madan and Paul Altman. The team members are all from the Kellogg School’s Part-Time MBA Program.  Photo © Rich Foreman

The Kellogg Biotech & Healthcare Case Competition
sponsored by Genzyme and Abbott

January 23, 2010

Application

Now in its 7th year, the Kellogg Biotech & Healthcare Case Competition is one of the industry’s premier case events, attracting students from around the world.  The event is sponsored by Genzyme and Abbott.

The case competition is an example of Kellogg’s commitment to experiential learning.  It is an opportunity for students to learn, meet industry executives and network with business students from different schools. Last year more than 40 teams from around the world applied out of which twelve were selected.  The competition was hard fought, with some outstanding presentations.

The 2010 competition will feature a challenging new case.  Teams will judged by industry executives based on strategic thinking, clarity, enthusiasm and analytical rigor.

Teams of MBA students are invited to apply to participate in the 2010 competition.  Teams should be comprised of 3- 5 students.  Both part-time and full-time 1st and 2nd year MBA students are welcome to apply.  More than one team per school can apply and participate. The top 3 teams will receive cash prizes ($5,000, $1,500 and $500). The first place winners will also have the opportunity to meet Genzyme's CEO and top executives in Boston. Interested teams need to apply for the competition by submitting an application no later than December 4, 2009.  Invited teams will be notified via email no later than December 11, 2009.

Teams will receive the case on Friday, January 15, 2010 and will submit their presentations to the Kellogg Center for Biotechnology Management by Friday, January 22, at 5 pm (CST).  Students should only use the information in the case when preparing their recommendation.  Teams are not allowed to do outside research on the case.

Presentations will take place at the Kellogg School of Management’s Allen Center in Evanston, Illinois on Saturday, January 23.  Each team will have 25 minutes to present, including Q&A.  The presentation order will be determined by a random drawing, and published in advance.

Judges will evaluate the presentations for strategic thinking, clarity, enthusiasm and analytical rigor.  At the end of the day leaders from Genzyme will debrief on the case.  All participants are invited to dinner following the debrief session.  Winners will be announced at the end of the evening.   Teams will receive detailed feedback on their presentation via email by February 1.

Students are responsible for their own travel expenses and accommodations.

Students will be able to attend the Kellogg Marketing Conference, which is also being held at Kellogg on January 23.  For more information on the marketing conference please visit:  http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/MarketingConference/index.html


If you have questions please contact Marta Melar-New (m-melar@northwestern.edu) or Professor Tim Calkins (t-calkins@kellogg.northwestern.edu).

The 2009 third place winners of the Biotech and Healthcare case competition sponsored by Genzyme. Seated from left to right Christopher Carter '09, Michiko Aida '10 and Katherine McGrath '09. Standing from left are Clinical Professor Marketing Tim Calkins, Lynn Harris, Zsolt Abonyi '09, Genzyme SVP Elliott Hillback, Joris de Groot '09, Alicia Löffler, Director of the Center for Biotechnology and Dan Regan, SVP of Genzyme corporation.  Photo © Rich Foreman