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PH increases MSMEs access to production technology

The country is increasing the access to production network and needed technology of the micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) as they expand to more overseas markets.

A newly released Socioeconomic Report (SER) by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said it will enhance the capacity of MSMEs to produce at larger scales and in accordance with international product standards, such as halal standards.

“The ability of MSMEs to deliver the necessary quantity at the right cost is crucial to be able to engage in long-term relationships with large domestic and multilateral enterprises,” it said.

The report pointed out that access of MSMEs to international markets will expand once they become suppliers to global and regional production networks.

“These relationships will also facilitate their access to advanced technology and exposure to innovative practices,” it added.

SER said the country will also expand the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and shared service facilities.

“This will provide MSMEs with access to needed technology, with an aim of increasing their scale of production and improve efficiency of production processes. These will be strategically located where they are accessible to potential users,” it said.

Further, it will improve access of MSMEs to finance through operationalizing a comprehensive credit information system, developing a policy for alternative collaterals, and establishing an effective credit guarantee system. - Philexport News & Features

Affordable test for shrimp disease

A highly sensitive tool that detects a disease that affects shrimps has been developed at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The technology helps detect Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) or Early Mortality Syndrome in shrimp. It is 10 times more highly sensitive compared with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the convention detection tool.

PCR is used in molecular biology to magnify into thousands and even millions of copies a particular DNA sequence. Because it is a relatively easy, comparatively cheap and reliable way to repeatedly replicate a segment of DNA, PCR is probably the most widely used technique in molecular biology and biomedical research, in clinical as well as research laboratories.

AHPND is caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a pervasive bacterium that thrives in marine waters. This disease causes lethargy, an empty stomach, a pale hepatopancreas and an empty midgut. AHPND has caused major economic loss in cultured shrimp production in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Mexico and the Philippines.

In the Philippines, the disease is detected in Bataan, Bulacan, Cebu, Bohol, Sarangani and General Santos. In one site in Bataan, 73 percent of farms were found positive with AHPND.

The tool, called the Juan Amplification (JAmp) Detection Kit, is easy to set up and use as well as cost-efficient as it only costs P300 per test, said Dr. Mary Beth Maningas, the lead researcher at the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, UST Thomas Aquinas Research Complex.

The JAmp kit detected the AHPND-causing bacteria, V. parahaemolyticus at 10-2 dilution, while PCR only detected the bacteria until 10-1 dilution.

It is based on Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification, a diagnostics assay that detects the White Spot Syndrome Virus using sequence-specific amplification at one temperature condition.

It is simple and cost-effective, suitable for on-site applications and able to yield results within an hour. This is a great advantage over the other detection methods available in the market which could take hours or even days if the diagnosis is conducted in regional testing centers in urban areas.

The portable JAmp Detection Kit could be used on-site and is easy to operate.

The technology addresses the need of Filipino shrimp farmers for a diagnostic testing kit that provides results instantly as outsourced diagnostics are not time-efficient. Moreover, available test products are expensive, have low accuracy and are difficult to use.

A patent application for the kit filed by the UST Innovation and Technology Support Office is pending.

The project – Pathobiology and Development of Molecular Detection Kit for EMS/AHPND causing bacteria – is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology. - P. Icamina

Novartis renews partnership with Philippine Heart Center as Center of Excellence in Clinical Trials

Novartis Healthcare Philippines and the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) renewed their partnership in maintaining the hospital’s status as a center of excellence in clinical trials. The agreement aims to provide continuous support in the research and development of medicines as well as to enhance PHC’s capabilities Center of Excellence in clinical studies and research in the Philippines.
The innovative partnership is in line with the Novartis commitment to strengthen the country’s clinical research capabilities and enhance Philippine health care.

Quezon City– Novartis Healthcare Philippines and the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to renew their partnership in maintaining PHC’s status as a Center of Excellence in Clinical Trials.

“Novartis Healthcare Philippines is pleased to renew our partnership with the Philippine Heart Center in maintaining PHC’s status as a Center of Excellence in Clinical Trials. We renew our commitment to support the research and development of essential medicines and vaccines as well as to enhance the capabilities of PHC as a Center of Excellence in clinical studies and research in the Philippines,” said Ms. Cheryl Maley, President and Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

“As the country’s leader in upholding the highest standards of cardiovascular care, the Philippine Heart Center welcomes the renewal of our partnership with Novartis. Our continuing collaboration will enable the PHC to provide compassionate and expert cardiovascular care enhanced by world-class education and research, and to responsibly disseminate scientific and lay information to the public,” said Dr. Joel M. Abanilla, PHC Executive Director.

Leveraging its institutionalized R&D process, Novartis has extensive experience in conducting clinical research on a global scale and has one of the pharmaceutical industry’s most respected development pipelines, with more than 200 projects in clinical development (as of December 31, 2017). Many of these projects include the development of new molecular entities, existing products with additional indications and different formulations for marketed products—all could significantly advance treatment standards for patients worldwide.

To date, Novartis has invested approximately USD3.95M in clinical trials in the country. Among pharmaceutical companies operating in the Philippines, Novartis currently has the most number of active recruiting trials in cardiovascular medicine with increasing number of pulmonary medicine trials. The Philippine International Clinical Research Operations (ICRO) started its operations in 2008, with the allocation of two clinical trials on hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus. Since then, 38 global Clinical Trials have been conducted in the country in the last three years in Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Integrated Hospital Care, enrolling 2,425 patients in over 215 sites.

Research papers written by PHC specialists are regularly published in the Philippine Heart Center Journal, Philippine Journal of Cardiology, Philippine Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Inventory of Health Research, Journal of Radioisotope Society, and publications of the Department of Science and Technology. At any given time, the PHC conducts at least 10 major research studies as a result of the revival of its Experimental Surgery and Research Laboratory and its renewed focus on the importance of research in cardiovascular science. In partnership with the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), the PHC is conducting an onsite nutrition and cardiovascular disease investigation in the Bicol Region to determine the relationship of coconut oil intake and blood cholesterol levels.

Under the MOA, Novartis will prioritize PHC as a site for its clinical research projects that will be conducted in the Philippines while PHC will consider Novartis as a preferred research partner. Clinical research activities will focus on the following areas: innovative research, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Institutional Review Board capacity building, and Registry development.

Novartis first signed a MOA with SLMC in 2014. Other Centers of Excellence supported by Novartis are located in the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) and Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP).

Novartis Healthcare Philippines and the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to renew their partnership in maintaining PHC’s status as a Center of Excellence in Clinical Trials. Photo shows (from left): Dr. Gilbert Vilela, Department Manager for Education, Training, and Research, PHC; Dr. Joel Abanilla, Executive Director, PHC; Ms. Cheryl Maley, Country President and Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines; and Dr. Francis Domingo, Chief Scientiic Officer, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

Novartis Healthcare Philippines and the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to renew their partnership in maintaining PHC’s status as a Center of Excellence in Clinical Trials. Photo shows PHC and Novarits executives led by PHC executive director Dr. Joel Abanilla and Novartis Country president and Managing director Ms Cheryl Maley (seated, center).

About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 122,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.