Date:
12 November 2016 | 9am – 4pm
Venue:
NIMBB Lecture Hall (click here for map)
National Science Complex, University of the Philippines Diliman
Speakers
Ma. Anita Bautista, PhD
Director, Sequencing Core Facility
Philippine Genome Center
presentation slides
Raul Destura, MD
Director, Health Program
Philippine Genome Center
CEO, Manila HealthTek Inc.
Carlos Primo C. David, PhD
Executive Director, PCIEERD
Dept Science & Tech, Philippines
presentation slides
Jong de Castro, PhD
3R Biosystems, LA, California
Balik-Scientist Awardee, DOST
Rosel Doval Santos, MD
Medical Director, PhilTrust Bank
Volunteer Consultant, UNECE
presentations slides
Francisco Chung, PhD
Co-Director, Cell Therapeutics Program
Makati Medical Center
presentations slides
Event Summary by Kamila Isabelle Navarro, 11/14/2016
Over 20 of the Philippines’ biggest names in biotechnology and investment gathered last November 12, 2016 at a symposium hosted by the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with the aim of sharing insights on the scientific and economic value of genomics.
A fairly young discipline, genomics is concerned with the vast amounts of useful information found within an organism’s genetic material. These information are obtained through a process called sequencing, where powerful machines read the sequence of an organism’s genetic material in the form of either DNA or RNA. As genomics is virtually unknown in the Philippines, the main goal of the symposium was to educate policymakers and stakeholders, as well as the public, on its importance and the role of PGC in genomics research.Dr. Gisela Concepcion, UP Diliman’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, took the stage to share UP’s vision of the PGC on behalf of President Alfredo Pascual. Describing the Philippines as a “human melting pot,” Dr. Concepcion also emphasized our agricultural and even bacterial biodiversity, citing these as reasons why the Philippines must be at the forefront of genomics research.
Dr. Gisela Concepcion, UP Diliman’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, took the stage to share UP’s vision of the PGC on behalf of President Alfredo Pascual. Describing the Philippines as a “human melting pot,” Dr. Concepcion also emphasized our agricultural and even bacterial biodiversity, citing these as reasons why the Philippines must be at the forefront of genomics research.In a short address detailing PGC’s short and long-term goals, Dr. Aguda echoed Dr. Concepcion’s sentiments. “Genomics is about to explode!” he enthused. “Biodiversity genomics is
In a short address detailing PGC’s short and long-term goals, Dr. Aguda echoed Dr. Concepcion’s sentiments. “Genomics is about to explode!” he enthused. “Biodiversity genomics is at its infancy, and as its executive director, I am trying to position the PGC to be a world leader in this exploding field.”Other high-ranking officials of the PGC also elaborated on the applications of genomics and current directions of the PGC.
Other high-ranking officials of the PGC also elaborated on the applications of genomics and current directions of the PGC.Dr. Zenaida Magbanua, Deputy Executive Director of PGC, further expounded on the applications of genomics in our daily lives by introducing the concept of nutrigenomics. “Our genes can be affected by food intake,” she said. Dr. Magbanua then related how certain diets make us more susceptible to diseases associated with a modern lifestyle, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even cancer. Genomics, according to Dr. Magbanua, is the key to effective management of these so-called diseases of civilization. “We can’t help what’s in our genome, but if we know, at least we can manage it,” she added.
Dr. Zenaida Magbanua, Deputy Executive Director of PGC, further expounded on the applications of genomics in our daily lives by introducing the concept of nutrigenomics. “Our genes can be affected by food intake,” she said. Dr. Magbanua then related how certain diets make us more susceptible to diseases associated with a modern lifestyle, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even cancer. Genomics, according to Dr. Magbanua, is the key to effective management of these so-called diseases of civilization. “We can’t help what’s in our genome, but if we know, at least we can manage it,” she added.Dr. Marianne Bautista, Program Director of PGC’s DNA Core Sequencing Facility, also gave a short showcase
Dr. Marianne Bautista, Program Director of PGC’s DNA Core Sequencing Facility, also gave a short showcase on the various facilities, equipment and services found in the PGC. With the PGC boasting sophisticated equipment such as the NextSeq 500, a desktop sequencer capable of sequencing whole genomes in a single run, Dr. Bautista highlighted how these acquisitions bring the PGC closer to fulfilling its goal to “provide high quality and ultramodern sequencing and analytical services to the Philippine scientific community.”One of the featured speakers was Dr. Raul Destura, Director of PGC’s Health Program, and CEO of PGC’s first spin-off company, Manila Health Tek Inc. Detailing the lengthy process it took to develop accessible molecular diagnostics kits from benchtop to market, he repeatedly stressed that “persistence is a virtue.” Indeed, his persistence has paid off, as some of his kits – like the one profiling HIV drug resistance – are now clinical services used nationwide. Dr. Destura ended his speech with a call to arms. “Technology generates new technologies and supports the growth of the biotechnology industry. Local scientists would not need to go out. If you believe in our vision, use Filipino-based technology. Cater to your own.”
One of the featured speakers was Dr. Raul Destura, Director of PGC’s Health Program, and CEO of PGC’s first spin-off company, Manila Health Tek Inc. Detailing the lengthy process it took to develop accessible molecular diagnostics kits from benchtop to market, he repeatedly stressed that “persistence is a virtue.” Indeed, his persistence has paid off, as some of his kits – like the one profiling HIV drug resistance – are now clinical services used nationwide. Dr. Destura ended his speech with a call to arms. “Technology generates new technologies and supports the growth of the biotechnology industry. Local scientists would not need to go out. If you believe in our vision, use Filipino-based technology. Cater to your own.”
Similar messages of encouragement for the commercialization of genomics research were given by other speakers at the symposium. Other featured speakers were: Dr. Hayde Galvez, Officer-in-Charge of the PGC Agriculture Program; Dr. Carlos Primo David, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD); Dr. Gonzalo Serafica, Technology Development Biotechnology Enterprise Consultant; Dr. Romulo de Castro, founder of 3R Biosystems; Dr. Roselmo Doval Santos, Medical Director of PhilTrust Bank; Dr. Isagani Padolina, Director of Research and Development at Pascual Pharmaceuticals, and Dr. Francisco Chung, Co-Director of the Cell Therapeutics Program of Makati Medical Center.
Photos from the event:
UPSPGC
UPSIO
Program
Master of Ceremonies: Kamila Isabelle Navarro
9:00-9:10 am Welcome Remarks | Goals of the Symposium
Baltazar D. Aguda, PGC Executive Director
9:10-9:20 am UP’s Vision of a Philippine Genome Center
Alfredo E. Pascual, President, University of the Philippines
Gisela P. Concepcion, Vice President for Academic Affairs, UP
9:20-10:00am The PGC Today and its Short- & Long-Term Plans
Baltazar D. Aguda, PGC Executive Director
Zenaida Magbanua, PGC Deputy Executive Director
Ma. Anita Bautista, Director, PGC DNA Sequencing Facility
10:00-10:30am Manila Health Tek Inc.: The Story of PGC’s First Spin Off
Raul Destura, CEO, Manila Health Tek Inc.
10:30-10:40am Break
10:40-11:00am Winning Agriculture Through Genomics
Hayde Galvez, OIC, PGC-Agriculture
11:00-11:30am The Business Incubator Program of DOST; German Genethics
Carlos Primo David, PCIEERD Executive Director
11:30am-12:00nn DISCUSSION
12:00-1:00pm LUNCH
1:00-1:30pm My 20 plus years in Commercializing Biotech products, what does it take?
Gonzalo Serafica, Technology Development Biotech Enterprise Consultant
1:30-2:00pm Genome-wide, multi-cancer prognostic immune profiling
Romulo (Jong) de Castro, 3R Biosystems, LA, California, USA
2:00-2:30pm Investing in Health Care Innovations
Roselmo Doval Santos, Medical Director, PhilTrust Bank
2:30-2:40pm Break
2:40-3:10pm Evolving Pharma Landscape: Critical Considerations in Personalized Medicine
Isagani Padolina, R & D Director, Pascual Pharma
3:10-3:40pm Disruptive Technology in the Age of Personalized Medicine
Francisco Chung, Co-Director, Cell Therapeutics Program, Makati Med Ctr
3:40-4:00pm CLOSING REMARKS
