UP Manila herbal meds, devices, digital technologies open for licensing

From plant-based preparations that prevent and treat dengue and the herbal plant Yerba Buena for effective and faster post-operative pain control to a mobile application for hip fracture detection, the University of the Philippines Manila has been generating substantial technologies from its researches that improve health.

Some of the technologies, now available for licensing, were showcased in a recent event, “TEKNOLUSUGAN: Shaping UP Juan’s Health Through Innovations

and Partnerships” held at the UP-Bonifacio Global City as part of the Science and Technology Week celebration. UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla stated that the event was the start of a series of conversations with industry.

“The researches will be no good if they do not move on to policy or industry,” she stated. Seven medicinal plant products and six biomedical devices and innovations were pitched to guests from the industry and government agencies.

The medicinal plant products had rare to no side effects, were made from locally sourced materials that will benefit farmers, are cheaper than the synthetic ones in the market, and will boost the Philippine pharmaceutical industry.

The anti-dengue products can be incorporated in ready-to-drink preparations or can be prepared in the form of tea, capsules or tablets that can neutralize the dengue virus and prevent the progression of the dengue fever. As a preventive measure, a plant-based Mosquito Repellent Oil was formulated that is highly potent, non-toxic, cheaper, and longer-lasting than the leading brand. Apart from Yerba Buena tablets, the other medicinal plant products were Tsaang

Gubat tablets for pain from gastrointestinal colic and biliary colic pain, Ulasimang Bato or pansit-pansitan for hyperuricemia and gout; Sambong as a diuretic and for treating urinary

tract stones; Akapulko lotion as an antifungal agent for treating superficial skin infections; and Hemoxyther for iron deficiency anemia.

The biomedical devices and innovations presented were

DEFA1 and CFI Marker, diagnostic and decision-making tool kits for the prevention of leptospirosis-related deaths and complications through medical intervention; Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS), a proven efficient electronic medical records for patients’ record management, reports generation, and claims processing, and Pepthematics, peptides and modified blood products for the diagnosis and treatment of coagulopathic, inflammatory, and infectious conditions.

Other digital technologies pitched were Battle in the

Blood (BitB), an HIV digital advocacy gaming application currently available for free on Google Play and App Store;

AcquilaVR, a virtual reality application which complements existing autism therapies to help lessen the unpredictable behavior of school children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; and COXA or Deep Learning for Hip Fracture Classification, a mobile application for hip fracture which can be used in areas without internet or a temporarily absent radiologist, with teleconsultation functionalities.

For inquiries, contact the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, 3105731, 3105727, visit http://

ttbdo.upm.edu.ph, or email ttbdo@post.upm.edu.ph.