IPOPHL pushes universities to profit from research

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is urging universities to turn their research into marketable products to bring more locally developed solutions to the public while generating revenue that schools can reinvest in innovation.

“When institutions enable commercialization, several positive gains are created. It brings new revenue streams for universities to reinvest in research and development, helps society gain from better products and services, strengthens industry competitiveness, and opens opportunities for collaborations that make local innovation thrive,” IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said over the weekend.

The push follows a licensing agreement by the University of San Agustin (USA), an Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) member, which IPOPHL cited as a model for translating academic research into real-world applications.

ITSOs help inventors manage intellectual property, from patent filing to connecting with industry partners.

Under the agreement, USA licensed its patented process for extracting antibiotic compounds from kadios seeds to Maridan Industries Inc. The patent, titled “Methods of Purifying Antibiotic Compounds from Cajanus cajan,” was awarded to lead inventor Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay and her co-inventors.

Maridan will use the technology to develop Skivios, a locally formulated product designed to protect the skin against multidrug-resistant bacteria and other common pathogens, bringing university research directly to consumers.

“USA’s early and sustained pursuit of patent protection and industry partnership shows what we want more universities to do: take ideas from the lab to the real world,” Arevalo said.

IPOPHL Documentation, Information, and Technology Transfer Bureau Director Ralph Jarvis H. Alindogan encouraged other schools and research centers to follow the example. 

“Actively pursue patents, engage industry partners early, and prioritize technology transfer to realize the full benefits of commercialization,” he said.

USA President Rev. Fr. Arnel S. Dizon, OSA, noted that the milestone reflects the alignment of researchers’ commitment with institutional goals, supported by partnerships with industry and government.

“Every patent granted is a vote of confidence in Filipino ingenuity. It tells our scientists, our students, and our institutions that their ideas are worth protecting, worth investing in, and worth taking to the world,” IPOPHL Intellectual Property Rights Specialist II Marianne Tajanlangit-Bebit said.

In urging universities to profit from research, IPOPHL said it seeks to create a cycle where innovation not only advances science but also delivers products and services for Filipinos.