DOST-backed Aghamiya eyes future of skin testing

A Department of Science and Technology-backed biomedical innovation project from Western Visayas has reached a key commercialization milestone after securing trademark registration for Aghamiya, a locally developed 3D bioprinted human skin equivalent technology.

The project, led by Jan Vincent N. Sollesta of Pharma GalenX Innovations Inc., is funded through the DOST Business Innovation through Science and Technology for Industry Program and monitored by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.

The trademark registration strengthens the project’s intellectual property portfolio and supports upcoming commercialization efforts for the human skin equivalent technology.

The milestone could open opportunities for industry collaborators and adopters as the project moves closer to market readiness.

Human skin equivalents are laboratory-grown tissues designed to mimic the structure and function of human skin.

Globally, these technologies are increasingly used as alternatives to animal-based testing for cosmetics, topical formulations, and medical devices.

According to DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., the achievement represents an important step in the country’s efforts to reduce reliance on imported biomedical innovations.

“The DOST gives high priority to research endeavors that foster domestic production of biomedical tools. As this project nears commercialization, we look forward to achieving faster and cheaper local biocompatibility testing.”

The project team is optimizing 3D bioprinting parameters and refining the bioink formulation needed to produce skin tissues that closely resemble native human skin.

Validation studies are ongoing to assess the morphology, cell viability, and barrier function of the bioprinted skin model to ensure its reliability for laboratory testing applications.

Once finalized, the laboratory-grown skin samples will undergo in vitro skin irritation analysis and further validation activities.

Following the trademark registration, the project team is positioning the technology for future commercialization and wider industry adoption once validation activities are completed.

Sollesta said Pharma GalenX is already engaging with universities, research institutions, and government agencies for collaborations involving the use of the human skin equivalent models.

The team also aims to make the locally developed technology accessible to industries and academic institutions as an alternative to imported skin models that are difficult to source in the country.

DOST and Pharma GalenX earlier launched a bioprinting laboratory in Western Visayas to support the development of human skin equivalents using 3D bioprinting technology.

The laboratory was designed to support studies involving topical formulations and was equipped with tools such as a 3D bioprinter, ultralow-temperature freezer, microplate reader, carbon dioxide incubators, and microscopes.

Solidum also emphasized the importance of investing in Filipino researchers and innovators, noting that sustained support for science and technology is essential to building a more self-reliant, innovation-driven, and future-ready Philippines.

“When we empower Filipino innovators, we don’t just create products; we create hope, resilience, and pride for generations to come,” he said.