Progress on biotech
While pointing out that the Philippine government has invested early on in biotechnology, the senator emphasised that it needs to establish the appropriate policy environment to promote bioindustry development.
In 1979, the Philippine government established the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. In the mid-1980s, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) identified biotechnology as a priority investment area and developed the UPLB science park for business development.
The Department of Agriculture organised the Philippine Rice Research Institute, the Philippine Carabao Center and the National Fisheries Research Institute into a network of biotechnology research centres for crops, livestock and aquatic resources, respectively. Still, these investments have not sufficiently fostered the growth of a biotechnology industry.
A brief review of biotechnology patent applications filed with Intellectual Property (IP) Philippines shows that of the 3,404 patent applications filed with and examined by the medical science and biotechnology division under the Patent Cooperation Treaty since 2002, not one was filed by a Filipino.
Out of 23 biotechnology patent applications filed directly with IP Philippines between 2002 and 2007, only two applications, or 8.7 percent, were filed by Filipinos. These data suggest that the country’s biotechnology research and development efforts are producing only a few inventions and/or innovations that are commercially viable for intellectual property protection. There is a need for a more determinative action plan to shape the future of Philippine biotechnology.
The proposed bill aims to enable the country to develop a biotechnology-based industry, specifically by creating a policy environment for the continuing generation and application of biological knowledge, and by promoting the sustainable growth of a biotechnology-based industry.
“The proposed bill aims to enable the country to develop a biotechnology-based industry."
As defined in the bill, ‘bioindustry’ or ‘biotechnology-based industry’ would include companies involved in the research, development, manufacture and sale of materials such as cell cultures, catalysts, genetic materials, immune response materials, biochemicals, enzymes, proteins, bioactive molecules, genetically engineered organisms and equipment specifically used in biological and genetic research. It would also include service organisations that provide consulting, testing, processing and storage of such products.
A Philippine Bioindustry Research and Development Center will be established to:
