June 27, 2024

PiVOT Attends TeknoLusugan 2024: A Goldmine of Healthcare Innovation in the Philippines

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The Philippines is rapidly emerging as a hub for healthcare innovation. TeknoLusugan 2024, a recent event organized by The University of the Philippines Manila’s Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (UPM-TTBDO), showcased the country’s brightest minds in the medical field, presenting a treasure trove of promising healthcare solutions. Attended by Irene Rivera, PiVOT’s  Business Development Associate, this blog post delves into the key takeaways from the event, highlighting groundbreaking research in herbal medicine, diagnostics, medical devices, and more.

UP Manila Leads in Medical Innovation

The event showcased exciting health innovations from UP Manila, many focusing on herbal medicine and diagnostics.

• Herbal Medicine Leaders: UP Manila presented research on various herbal medicines, including:

  • Akapulko Lotion: A cost-effective antifungal lotion ready for licensing.
  • Tsaang Gubat: A herbal treatment for biliary and gastrointestinal colic seeking manufacturing and distribution partners.
  • Ampalaya for Diabetes: A promising herbal tablet with completed clinical trials seeking partners for licensing, manufacturing, and distribution.
  • Tuklas Lunas Anti-Diabetes: Already in collaboration for development, this herbal tablet seeks additional partners for licensing, manufacturing, and distribution.

• Diagnostics and Medical Devices: UP Manila also impressed with innovations in diagnostics and medical devices:

  • ETox: A point-of-care diagnostic tool for rapid paracetamol overdose detection, seeking funding, manufacturing, and commercialization partners.
  • Leptospirosis Prognosticator: A molecular diagnostic kit to predict complications in leptospirosis patients, seeking partners for manufacturing and technology distribution.
  • iFIX: An affordable external fixator for open fractures seeking local manufacturing partners.
  • Virtual Reality Therapy: VR applications for cognitive and motor therapy in dementia and cerebral palsy patients, seeking partners for scaling up and commercialization.
  • MyBeshie: A telepresence robot for healthcare workers, reducing PPE costs and risk, seeking manufacturing partners.
  • RxBox Telemedicine Device: A multi-sensor machine for ER patient monitoring, seeking partners for manufacturing and commercialization.

Government Support for Innovation

The Philippine government is actively supporting healthcare innovation through various programs:

• DOST’s TAPI: The Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Application Promotion Institute (TAPI) offers a comprehensive suite of programs to support innovation, from ideation to commercialization. This includes funding, intellectual property protection assistance, legal aid, and marketing support.
• National Development Company (NDC): The NDC provides funding and investment opportunities for promising healthcare innovations. They showcased Manila HealthTek as a success story and emphasized their role in accelerating innovation.
• FDA Digitalization: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is undergoing digitalization initiatives for a smoother interaction with stakeholders. They also encouraged participation in providing feedback and policy drafting.

Industry Collaboration for a Healthier Philippines

The medical device industry is a key player in healthcare advancement. Here’s what industry leaders had to say:

• Medical Device Association of the Philippines (MDAP): MDAP advocates for patient safety, improved quality of life, and clinician access to technologies. They are open to investing in promising healthcare projects.
• Focus on Clinical Trials: Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) President Diana Edralin said that the Philippines has the potential to be a leading destination for clinical trials due to its patient demographics, investigator expertise, and excellent facilities.
• Investment Gap in Early-Stage Biotech: Heal Venture Lab highlighted a gap in funding for pre-clinical and phase 1 biotech ventures. They see an opportunity to invest in preclinical and animal labs to support early-stage innovations.

Overall, TeknoLusugan 2024 painted a bright picture for the future of Philippine healthcare. With a strong focus on herbal medicine, diagnostics, medical devices, and government-industry collaboration, the Philippines is well-positioned to develop innovative solutions for its own healthcare needs and potentially become a global leader in healthcare innovation.