BoI highlights possible biotech investments

THE Philippine Board of Investments (BoI) underscored several business opportunities awaiting investors in the country’s modern biotechnology industry during a technical forum that was part of Department of Trade and Industry’s celebration of 18th National Biotechnology Week (NBW).

During the hybrid forum titled “Emerging Modern Industrial Biotech Applications: Prospects and Opportunities,” BoI Industry Development Services Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa emphasized the numerous applications of biotechnology across industries, believing that now is the right time to put the spotlight on modern biotechnology.

“Starting now, we hope that this technical forum will provide the stage for mainstream bioeconomy to become a national agenda in the coming years and future NBWs as we call on all industry stakeholders to make bioeconomy in the country a reality,” HaliliDichosa added.

Overall, the forum featured 11 local and international experts and had five sessions that covered biotech applications in food manufacturing, particularly plantbased foods, animal vaccines, biomaterials, energy, environment, pharmaceutical and medicine. In addition, they also shared their expert insights on the various areas of biotechnology.

In the first session, IHS-Markit’s Lee Bridgett and Dr. Douglas Gladue of the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service discussed plantbased foods and African swine fever vaccines, respectively, as solutions for the country’s hog industry.

Meanwhile, the second session featured Oikos Sustainable Solutions Inc.’s Lizzie Guerrero and her company’s cassava- and corn-based packaging products, and Nanotronics Inc.’s Dr. Jerome Palaganas, who explained the role of biotechnology in the biomaterials sector.

For the forum’s third part, Department of Energy Senior Science Research Specialist Charisse Jane Pascual talked about biotechnology in energy while focusing on biomass and wasteto-heat energy, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Science Research Specialist Janine Contiguerra-Baguhin discussed biotechnology in environmental applications, highlighting the importance of plant tissue culture. In addition, Jonathan Cheng, co-founder of Pullulo Pte. Ltd., explained the role of startups in shaping modern biotechnologies for various industries.

Lastly, AstraZeneca Vaccine and Immune Therapies International Vice President Nitin Kapoor, Higinio Porte Jr. of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, and Linda Tantiansu of Swisspharma Research Laboratories Inc. shared their journeys in the development of their products and services using modern biotechnology.

Kapoor discussed their Covid-19 vaccine applications in the Philippines, Porte touched on their company’s Lagundi research, and Tantiansu talked about stem cell therapy.

A total of 107 participants, both online and onsite, attended the technological forum.