Investors open to tap UPLB biotech facility

MANILA, Philippines - Investors in the manufacture of biotechnology products for agricultural use can take advantage of the improvements in the biotechnology plant of the country’s premier agriculture university to service their research needs.

During the recently-concluded business forum hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Los Baños, Laguna, officials of the University of the Philippines Los Baños announced that Phase 1 of the rehabilitation of its Biotech pilot plant is nearing completion.

For years, the plant has been providing assistance to entrepreneurs producing biotechnology products on a commercial scale. Such products include enzymes like rennet, amylase and cellulase; microbial fertilizers; plant growth promoting additives, probiotics, animal vaccines, antibiotics and others.

The pilot plant translates laboratory-developed technologies into semi-commercial scale production. The pilot testing stage generates data that can be used for economic feasibility studies. Markets for the products being tested at the pre-commercial stage may also be developed.

Spent for Phase 1 of the plant rehabilitation was around P15 million from the P50 million research and development grant provided by the DOST to the university for 2012.

Phase 1 of the rehabilitation of the plant is expected to be completed by January 2013. Phase 2 of the rehabilitation, on the other hand, is expected to be completed next year.

Currently installed in the plant are new bioreactors or fermenting tanks with capacities of 30 liters, 130 liters, and 200 liters. Still to be installed are bioreactors with capacities of 100 liters and 1,000 liters.

Upon the completion of the two-phase rehabilitation program, the plant would house the five bioreactors along with improved downstream processing facilities.