The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Science for Change-Business Innovation Through science and technology (BIST) for Industry Program has provided financial assistance amounting to P15.95 million to a veterinary research and diagnostics company in Batangas.
Citing the need for animal vaccine research development, DOST said the financial assistance granted to BioAssets Corporation will be used to acquire the latest technologies that will help establish a point-of-need animal health diagnostic system.
A Mobile Laboratory Unit will be equipped with portable diagnostic devices and will be set-up in resource-limited areas.
DOST said through the BIST-funded Program research, BioAssets Corporation intends to provide foundational support for the development of vaccines against African Swine Fever (ASF).
"With great potential, Bio Assets Corporation through the BIST program may be able to expand the function of vaccine R&D and address the ASF," said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña.
"Through R&D, we are able to find innovative technologies that will protect public health and ensure food safety," he added.
DOST Undersecretary Rowena L. Guevara said the BIST Program is designed to assist Filipino-owned companies to innovate and develop through the acquisition of new and relevant R&D equipment.
“The BIST program strengthens the capabilities of our local companies and enables them to overcome barriers through the outputs of R&D," Guevara added.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 51 out of 81 provinces in the country have confirmed cases of ASF as of July 2021.
ASF is a viral disease that infects pigs at all stages, causing hemorrhage in the skin and internal organs of the swine, leading to its eventual death. According to the Bureau of Animal Industry, the swine industry contributed 16 percent of the Philippines' agricultural growth and if not treated, ASF is seen to negatively impact the Philippine economy.
“As of the moment, the local swine industry only employs strict biosecurity measures and depopulation. The BRIDGES project will establish preventive measures that will support both point-of-need and precision diagnostic measures. Gaps on these aspects of animal health translate to multi-billion pesos potential income loss based on the reported number of pigs culled during the ASF crisis," BioAssets Corporation CEO and BIST Project Leader Dr. Homer D. Panua said.
"Through the BIST Program, we hope to employ innovative measures that would control the transmission of disease and prevent further losses in pork production. Support from DOST such as the BIST, will help the private sector and the government in addressing the challenges we face with infectious diseases in animal production through a comprehensive and unified approach," he added.