Keynote Message by Atty. Rowel Barba, Director General, Intellectual Property Office
The Philippines’ Research and Development (R&D) innovation outputs in the life sciences have been steadily increasing.
This was the observation of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) during the Asian Regional Conference-Applied Life Sciences Innovation, held here in Manila last September.
Data indicates that patent filings in the local pharmaceutical sector have been growing by 4% annually since 2020.
But for innovation to be relevant, fostering collaboration between the government and the private sector partners like science companies and the medical and research institutes is integral to fast tracking life-saving medicine and devices for the Filipinos.
It is for this reason that the publication of The Power of Innovation: A Report on the Contributions of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry is timely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the crucial role of medicine and vaccine providers in developing safe and effective vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. More importantly, the Report highlights the incredible innovation and progress of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry in collaboration with the public sector.
Enabling Innovation
During the pandemic, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) worked to enable innovation in the pharmaceutical sector so that vaccines, medicines, and lifesaving equipment could be made available to alleviate the suffering of our people in a timely manner.
We provided Patent Information Reports (PIRS) relating to COVID-19 free of charge, for use by the pharmaceutical industry, the academe, and the general public in furthering research and development of medical treatments.
These were published online and contained patent information on medications that were reported to be of use in treating COVID-19 symptoms. We released these 30 PIRS, which you can view in our website.
By releasing these reports, manufacturers and importers were made aware of potential medications they could safely import as the PIRS contain details of the patent status of all patent related to the medication.
We also worked with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), providing listings of lapsed utility models, patents and industrial designs related to personnel, personal protective equipment, and machines, such as ventilators and the like, which were all important during the pandemic.
Similar to the release of the PIRS, we hope local manufacturers could use the information to make relevant products that could treat COVID-19.
STREAMLINING PATENTS PROCESSING
Our Bureau of Patents streamlined the process for voluntary withdrawal or voluntary surrender of patents, registrations, and applications that were relevant to fighting the COVID-19 virus. We also prioritized the examination of all local applications relevant to COVID-19.
IPOPHIL is prepared to handle special compulsory license petitions that could have been applied for by the Department of Health (DOH).
We could also fast track registration requests for voluntary licensing or voluntary licenses that could help in scaling up the manufacture of medicines amidst the pandemic. However, none were filed during this period. It was also during the pandemic that our Bureau of Patents revised the examination guidelines for agriculture and biotechnology, which was eventually issued in 2022.
Last but not the least, at the height of shortages of various medical supplies during the pandemic, IPOPHIL collated technologies developed by our innovation partners. The Innovation and Technology Support Offices number 83 now and these include sensor enabled hand sprays and reusable face masks and shields.
On another sensitive matter, we also played the greater role or actively in the discussions on the waiver of COVID vaccines before the World Trade Organization.
RESPECTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
As an office, we have always advocated for the respect of intellectual property. But since we have to have a common position as a country, we deferred to the wisdom of the DTI and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Discussions are still ongoing on the expansion of such waiver to therapeutics and diagnostics.
We are glad that PHAP is working to ensure, that they key lessons from the pandemic will not be forgotten with the publication of this report.
We also believe that the creation of intellectual property (IP) is reliant on a healthy and productive citizenry. As such, IPOPHIL remains committed to promoting innovation and collaboration that would not only contribute to a stronger healthcare system but also leverage on a robust IP system to create a better, brighter future for our nation.
