Commercializing UPLB technologies will boost industry, benefit public

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The arts can get away with its art for arts’ sake argument.  According to those who espouse this view, the arts do not need any justification and should serve no political, moral, didactic, or any other end. But the same cannot be applied to science and technology (S&T). As the driver of human development, S&T has a definite purpose and should not exist in isolation from society. 

Advancements in technology have revolutionized life in innumerable and unimaginable ways. Technology, in particular, should be accessible to every individual in society, most especially to marginalized sectors or groups whose lives need to be uplifted. This is only possible when technologies are commercialized or transferred to a wide range of users who can then further develop and exploit these technologies into new products, processes, applications, materials, or services.

The UPLB experience

As a research university, UPLB has developed 536 technologies and technology products that have been lauded by the local and international scientific community. However, only five have been commercialized based on the Technology Transfer Act of 2009 and on the Intellectual Property (IP) Code of the Philippines’ definition of “technology” and “commercialization.” These include Sinta papaya, MYKOVAM, BIO-N, Trichoderma technology, and virgin coconut oil using enzyme technology.
This was revealed by Prof. Dennis Marvin Santiago, faculty member of the College of Economics and Management, in his lecture, “Experiences and Insights on Technology Commercialization in UPLB.” Dr. Santiago looked into the experiences of UPLB in ‘incubating‘ and operating technology commercialization businesses at the UPLB Science and Technology Park.

There is obviously a huge disparity between technology R&D and actual commercialization, he said. According to him, technology development and commercialization is a complex process and the figures reveal only a part of the story: from the 536 UPLB technologies, around 54 percent can be used by anyone who has technical knowhow while only 46 percent are protected through plant variety protection (45 percent) and patent (1 percent). As a result, UPLB does not generate the expected financial pay off from these technologies. However, many have benefitted from these technologies at practically no royalty costs, which is not entirely a bad thing.

The good news, pointed out Prof. Santiago, is that the University currently has 25 patent applications, which indicates that UPLB researchers now recognize the importance of IP protection.

Technology transfer protocol

To say that IP is important in technology commercialization in UPLB would be a supreme understatement. The DOST-IPO Administrative Order No. 02-2010, the implementing rules and regulations of RA No. 10055 or the Technology Transfer Act of 2009, direct all research and development institutes (RDIs)  like UPLB to establish their technology transfer protocol. These are policies, strategies and processes or procedures that are adopted to identify, protect, manage, and commercialize IPs and/or IPRs, and undertake technology transfer activities.

According to Prof. Santiago, this protocol, yet to be established, will serve as a guide for the University and the technology developer on the identification of technologies that have IP and commercial viability.

“The University should institute policies, procedures, guidelines, and agreements related to the IP disclosure, protection, ownership, and commercialization as well as the incentives, revenue-sharing, transfer of IP, determining the meritorious case participation of researcher-employee in spin-off companies, management of conflict of interest, and other relevant issues that will facilitate harmonious technology transfer,” he said.
In addition, he suggested for UPLB to implement a campaign to identify potential IPs that need to be protected and technologies that have commercial viability. The same goes for other UPLB technologies that have public domain IP status but have commercial viability based on their existing business model. Prof. Santiago stressed that the University should re-capture the patent of these technologies through innovation or protect them through trade secrets and trademarks.

Tapping the technology developers

Technology developers also have a big role to play in commercializing and advancing technologies in UPLB.  Prof. Santiago stressed that they should be educated on technology commercialization either by licensing, creation of spin-off company, or sale of IP or IPRs. Moreover, technology developers should be well-versed on the modes of technology commercialization for them to decide on the most appropriate mode that will produce a win-win situation for all. Through partnership with technology developers, Prof. Santiago believes that the “University should be able to ignite and hone the entrepreneurial mindset of UPLB technology developers and students.”   

Prof. Santiago also recommended that a strong industry-academe partnership should be established. This would determine the technological needs of the industry that  UPLB could research on  for  technology development and commercialization. A match between technology development and industry needs could also help in providing necessary resources (e.g., raw materials, equipment, and finance) and ensure relevance of research and development activities. In closing, Prof. Santiago said that the UPLB’s research thrust should not be primarily dictated by funding agencies but rather by the market or industry needs in order for the technology to ultimately benefit the people. This, after all, is one of the hallmarks of being a genuine public service university.  (MJC de Roma)

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