Recognizing the immediate need for animal vaccine research development, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Science for Change – Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry Program provided financial assistance amounting to P15.95M to BioAssets Corporation, a veterinary research and diagnostics company based in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
The financial assistance will be used to acquire the latest technologies that will help establish a point-of-need animal health diagnostic system. A Mobile Laboratory Unit will be equipped with portable diagnostic devices and will be set-up in resource-limited areas. Through their BIST-funded Program research, the BioAssets Corporation intends to provide foundational support for African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine development.
“With great potential, Bio Assets Corporation through the BIST program may be able to expand the function of vaccine R&D and address the ASF,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña. “Through R&D, we are able to find innovative technologies that will protect public health and ensure food safety.”
According to DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, “The BIST program strengthens the capabilities of our local companies and enables them to overcome barriers through the outputs of R&D. The BIST Program is designed to assist Filipino-owned companies to innovate and develop competitiveness through acquisition of new and relevant R&D equipment—like in this case, tools for diagnostics research.”
BioAssets Corporation is one of the many agencies that helps our government in identifying the means to diagnose, treat and eventually control ASF in the country.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 51 out of 81 provinces here in the Philippines have confirmed cases of ASF as of July 2021. The first case was reported in July 2019, several months before the spread of Covid-19 virus globally.
ASF is a viral disease that infects pigs at all stages. It causes hemorrhage in the skin and internal organs of the swine leading to its eventual death. While ASF cannot be transmitted to humans, it significantly affects the swine industry in all countries with reported ASF cases including the Philippines. According to the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BAI), the swine industry contributes 16% of the country’s agricultural growth. Thus, if not treated, ASF will have an impact not only on the agriculture industry but the Philippine economy as well.
To date, there is still no vaccine or treatment for ASF. Our government is continuously doing preventive measures and forged partnerships with local and international research and development (R&D)-based companies and agencies to study and find treatment for the swine virus.
“As of the moment, the local swine industry only employs strict biosecurity measures and depopulation. The BRIDGES project will establish preventive measures that will support both point-of-need and precision diagnostic measures. Gaps on these aspects of animal health translate to multibillion pesos potential income loss based on the reported number of pigs culled during the ASF crisis. Through the BIST Program, we hope to employ innovative measures that would control the transmission of disease and prevent further losses in pork production. Support from DOST such as the BIST, will help the private sector and the government in addressing the challenges we face with infectious diseases in animal production through a comprehensive and unified approach.”, said Dr. Homer D. Pantua, the BioAssets Corporation CEO and BIST project leader.
This collaborative effort is expected not only to achieve the primary goals of addressing the pressing need of the animal industry in the country. Ultimately, it will pave the way to the Philippines’ self-sufficiency in animal health diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
Interested Filipino companies may send their inquiries to the Science for Change Program - Project Management Office, with office address at Department of Science and Technology 2/F ADMATEL Bldg., DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City. They may also send an email at s4c.ousecrd@dost.gov.ph or call the S4C - PMO at (+632) 8837-2943 / 8837-2071 local 2510 or visit the S4C Facebook page at @dost.s4cp.
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