Monday, March 28, 2022 – Drug development and animal welfare in the Philippines are taking a big leap through the project “Three-dimensional Bioprinted Human Skin Equivalent” that is being funded under the Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry component of the Science for Change (S4C) Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The project will be implemented by Pharma GalenX Innovations, Inc. --- a local pharmaceutical company based in Iloilo.
The project will enable GalenX to develop its own human skin equivalents (HSE) using a three-dimensional bioprinting technology to be utilized for in vitro biocompatibility studies of topical formulations. The company currently spends at least P400,000.00 per test in laboratory fees abroad. With the support from the DOST-BIST program, the company will be able to directly manage testing and open the possibilities for discovering and developing new compounds and even create new products.
3D printing is a billion-dollar industry worldwide, where replication processes for research and testing are upgraded. The technology prints equivalents for plastic, metals, and even human tissues.
Through the DOST-BIST Program, Pharma GalenX Innovations, Inc. (GalenX will be provided with P10.75M to obtain a 3D bioprinting technology that will be used in its in vitro biocompatibility studies.
The DOST-BIST Program aims to provide financial assistance to Filipino private companies for the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies so they can undertake R&D. The financial assistance, which may be used to purchase high-tech equipment or to secure technology licensing and/or patent rights, will be refunded to DOST at zero percent interest.
“This BIST project will enable our Filipino scientists and researchers to do groundbreaking work, given the limitless potential of bioprinting,” says DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña. “This project will have a profound impact on the commercial viability of these technologies and hopefully develop a better system for product testing.”
“This is a very exciting time for our local industries as we have upgraded our R&D capabilities in drug discovery and development,” added Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. “3D printing addresses gaps in supply, safety and even provides an avenue for regenerative medicine. This signals great business potential to big pharmaceuticals and cosmetics companies.”
According to the Cruelty International report in 2015, an estimate of at least 192.1 million animals were used for scientific purposes worldwide. The figure includes experiments on animals to test safety, suitability and other properties such as biocompatibility of products used on human skin such as lotions, cosmetics, ointments, among others.
This project addresses both the industry and academe's need for a local facility that conducts biocompatibility studies since most research samples are being sent abroad for this type of assays. Product development turn-around time for GalenX will also be shortened since samples will no longer have to be shipped to other countries for analysis. This means a quicker turnaround time and cheaper operating costs for the local company.
The GalenX laboratory facility that will house the in vitro biocompatibility assays and the bioprinting of HSE will be the first in the country. This would be very beneficial not just to industries seeking local availability of biocompatibility assays but also to academic researchers who are working on the discovery of new or novel compounds where biocompatibility assay is necessary.
For companies who are also seeking to explore the benefits of the DOST BIST Program, you may contact the DOST-Science for Change Project Management Office at 2/F ADMATEL Bldg., DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City, with telephone numbers (02) 8837-2943/ 8837-2930. You may also send an email to s4c.ousecrd@dost.gov.ph
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