ILOILO CITY – The University of Agustin (USA) here has resumed hosting an international science conference after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The recent 2nd Iloilo International Conference on Advance Natural Products Technologies (I2CANProTech-II) brought together scientists and scientific researchers from Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America.
KEY officials of the University of San Agustin (USA) and foreign delegates open an exhibit as part of the 2nd Iloilo International Conference on Advanced Natural Products Technology (I2CANProTech-II) in Iloilo City. (Photo courtesy of Xane Adworx)
The bilateral conference organized by the USA Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology (C2B2) and Center for Natural Drug Discovery and Development (CND3) was a platform to “disseminate technological advancements that support marine and terrestrial natural product research as well as the translation of discoveries into products that support health and wellness.”
Dr. Jonel Saludes, USA Vice President for Research and Global Relations, noted that the conference also served “as an avenue for forging new partnerships and strengthening of collaboration among academe, industry, and government agencies.”
The last conference was held in 2019 and focused on the possibility that Iloilo may once again be the location for the country’s next antibiotic.
The antibiotic Erythromycin was discovered in 1949 by Dr. Abelardo Aguilar in his backyard. Its registered trademark Ilosone takes its name from Iloilo.
USA President Fr. Frederick Comendador said the hosting of the conference is one of the key events in the university’s 120th founding anniversary in July.