Through the concerted efforts of Balik Scientists, locally sourced and developed beauty and health innovations ranging from pharmaceutical drugs to herbal, beauty, and skin products are poised to benefit the local industry, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said on Thursday, March 16.

In a statement, DOST said that its Balik Scientists are working hand in hand with the University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo City in partnership with Maridan Industries, a local pharmaceutical company in Iloilo to create high-quality, safe, effective, and affordable dermatological innovations.

“By improving scientific infrastructure, like the three laboratories at the University of San Agustin, we introduce new avenues for innovation and product development for the benefit of local industries,” said DOST Undersecretary for R&D Leah J. Buendia.

“DOST fully encourages tripartite partnerships with government, the industry and the academe.  This is a way to nurture an environment of innovation and unlock profitable opportunities for our local businesses,” she added.

According to DOST, the recent revenue of the facial skin care market in the Philippines increased from 0.86 billion US dollars in 2020 to 1.02 billion US dollars in 2023. Skincare and beauty products are popularized and trending on social media.

It added that Maridan is making headway in the development of Skivios or Skin Invigorating from Kadios (Ilongo agricultural product). As shared by DOST-Balik Scientist Dr. Jonel Saludes, who is currently the Associate Vice President for Research and Global Relations at USA, they have studies to mimic certain conditions of human skin.

Through research and development (R&D) in the university led by DOST-Balik Scientist Dr. Doralyn Dalisay, the local pharmaceutical company Maridan, developed a skin-invigorating solution through Skivios that will address skin problems and infections including acne. Studies show that it is efficiently absorbed by the skin and breaks resistance from skin pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus thus making it very effective.

Maridan has developed two Skivios products such as a facial toner and facial serum. The former can be used by consumers for their everyday skin-care and make-up routine. The latter is highly suggested to be applied before going to sleep. The products are set to be launched commercially this July 2023.

Saludes and Dalisay also partnered with GalenX and other funding institutions like United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines initiative - Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) Program. Recently, the company launched Honelle Wound Gel– made from medical grade Marajon Honey that can fight any form of infection on wounds.

“Our ability to innovate increases when industry and academia work together more often. The academic community serves as a source of knowledge, and the business world is a good place to look for emerging market prospects. The combination of these two would result in well-directed, market-relevant research and products that would enhance Filipinos' quality of life,” said Jan Vincent Sollesta, Vice President of Maridan.

USA in Iloilo is also the only biobank in the country with more than 3,000 samples of good bacteria collected by both Balik Scientists and researchers. These have all been harvested from different parts of the Philippines with the goal of developing locally sourced and developed antibiotics.