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UP Diliman Invention Wins 2013 Ambassador A.M.Y. IP Awards Grand Prize

By Agnes May B. Bantigue

A method for the production of oral vaccine for fish has won the National Prize of the 2013 Ambassador Alfredo M. Yao Intellectual Property Awards (A.M.Y. IP Awards). The winning invention was created by a team of researchers led by Dr. Anacleto M. Argayosa of the Institute of Biology (IB). The members of the research team are Dr. Chelo S. Pascua (National Institute of Geological Sciences), Dr. Florentino C. Sumera (Institute of Chemistry), John Anthony D.L. Yason (IB), and Alpha Rae M. Espigar (IB).

Dr. Anacleto Argayosa (center) receiving a certificate from PCCI Chairman Alfredo Yao (left) and PCCI President Atty. Miguel Varela (right) during the recognition of finalists last 23 October 2013 at the Manila Hotel. Photo courtesy of Dr. Anacleto Argayosa.

The invention is a novel process that improves the efficacy of the fish vaccine through the inactivation and subsequent clay microencapsulation of the antigen. The clay microencapsulation protects the antigen so that it is still intact when it reaches the immunization site. The resulting vaccine can be dressed onto fish pellets to make administration easier. “The science and technology of the oral vaccine is simple yet promises innovative production engineering and various applications waiting to be explored for animal and human health,” says Dr. Argayosa. The research was funded by the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAMRD),

Of the entries submitted for this year’s A.M.Y. IP Awards, only 13 were shortlisted for presentation before a panel of judges composed of representatives of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCCI), Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The entries were judged based on uniqueness and originality, readiness for commercialization, environmental impact, social impact, and demonstration/presentation. The invention of Dr. Argayosa and his team was the lone entry of UP Diliman.

The A.M.Y. IP Awards was launched in 2009 by the PCCI, in collaboration with IPOPHL and DOST. The competition aims to support the development and commercialization of locally-developed intellectual properties – patents, utility models, industrial designs, and trademarks – that have contributed, or show strong potentials to contribute, to economic development and social awareness.

Dr. Anacleto Argayosa (center) received the A.M.Y. National IP Award with UP Diliman Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development Dr. Benito Pacheco (left) and research proponent Ms. Alpha Rae Espigar (right) during the awarding ceremony held last 24 October 2013 at the Manila Hotel.

The awarding ceremony was held last October 24 at the Manila Hotel. The grand prize award was received by Dr. Argayosa together with Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development Dr. Benito M. Pacheco, who represented UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma. The research team is honored and pleased to have been recognized for their invention. They are now looking forward to the transfer of the technology to the commercial sector. “We hope that this recognition will attract investments from the government and the private sector to finance an industry based on this innovative technology,” says Dr. Argayosa.

In preparation for the invention’s commercialization, a Philippine patent application has been filed by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD) for the protection of the oral fish vaccine technology. A Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application, followed by foreign patent applications, is also in the pipeline.