SEARCA, UPLB-BIOTECH push faster approval of microbial products

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UPLB-BIOTECH) co-organized a high-level forum on Sept. 18, 2025, to accelerate the registration and commercialization of microbial-based products developed in academic institutions.

The event, held at SEARCA, convened 58 agri-biotech stakeholders from universities, regulatory agencies, and the private sector to discuss practical solutions for streamlining approval processes for academic innovations.

In her opening remarks, SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla emphasized that regulation should empower rather than constrain, stating, “Regulation should not be a barrier; it should be a bridge—a bridge built with trust, clarity, and scientific integrity.”

Sombilla commended the forum for fostering open dialogue and cross-disciplinary collaboration, reaffirming SEARCA’s commitment to advancing biotechnology in Southeast Asia.

UPLB Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (VCRE) Dr. Marian De Leon expressed the Office of the VCRE’s full support for researchers exploring ways to streamline regulatory processes for technologies originating in academic settings.

Experts from UPLB outlined both progress and challenges in bringing microbial-based technologies to market.

UPLB-BIOTECH Deputy Director for Research, Development, and Extension Dr. Mannix Pedro highlighted the institute’s record of developing more than 50 biotechnology products and technologies, including microbial-based inoculants such as Bio N, NitroPlus, NitroLink, Biosol-P, PhosphoLink, Oryzinc, Maizinc, K-SolB, Mykovam, and MykoPlus.

Pedro noted that State Universities and Colleges and Research and Development Institutes encounter regulatory hurdles originally designed for commercial companies, making compliance more difficult for academic developers.

UPLB-BIOTECH Scientist I and Program Leader for Food, Feed, and Specialty Products Dr. Rodney Perez underscored the need for regulatory reforms tailored to academic research institutions.

He shared that his program has developed 20 technologies, secured 23 intellectual property rights, and contributed to two national policies but continues to face challenges such as the lack of pilot-scale production facilities and stringent requirements for novel microbial-derived products.

UPLB Technology Transfer and Business Development Office Development Management Officer Atty. Melo Jean Triños-Peralta presented the legal framework guiding technology transfer, citing Republic Acts 8293, 10055, and 9168 and the University of the Philippines intellectual property policy.

She stressed the public’s right to benefit from government-funded research outputs.

In the afternoon, representatives from the Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, and Bureau of Plant Industry, along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau, joined a panel to outline next steps.

Key recommendations included classifying academic institutions as formulators or non-commercial manufacturers to promote regulatory flexibility, reviewing requirements specific to academic research environments, introducing legislative reforms to update related laws, and exploring policy innovations such as a regulatory sandbox under the Philippine Innovation Act.

Academic institutions in attendance included UPLB, De La Salle Lipa, Isabela State University, Central Luzon State University, and Pampanga State Agricultural University.

UPLB-BIOTECH Director Dr. Fides Marciana Tambalo closed the forum by emphasizing the need for sustained engagement between regulatory agencies and academic institutions.

“May the conversations started here ignite stronger coordination, more responsive regulatory pathways, and ultimately, policy change, ensuring that locally developed, science-based, and sustainable technologies reach those who need them most,” she said.