PROTECT JUAN PROJECT
Impacting Every Juan’s Health through Technology Transfer
PROTECT JUAN PROJECT
Impacting Every Juan’s Health through Technology Transfer
Protect Juan Project Phase 1 (PJP 1)
The Protect Juan Project Phase 1 with a complete project title as Every Juan’s Health through Technology Transfer (Phase 1): IP Protection of 20 DOST-Funded UPM Technologies aimed to facilitate protection of UPM-generated technologies funded by PCHRD and DOST in preparation for technology transfer. To meet the objectives of the project, UPM-TTBDO through its prescribed mandate encapsulated in its catchphrase: “Seek, Secure, Scale to Serve,” primarily focused on the protection of intellectual property assets of UP Manila researches funded by the DOST.
In this project, UPM-TTBDO was able to secure significant intellectual property rights in time of the pandemic. Majority of the IPs filed were from the UP Surgical Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory (UP SIBOL) projects which comprise of technologies aimed to alleviate the effects of COVID-19. The project also served as a landmark for the protection of the first isolated compound of the university derived from an herbal plant against colon cancer cell lines. This is also the first time UP Manila was able to file for patent applications in other territories outside the Philippines.
Through the project, more innovators from the university were made aware of the substantial role of intellectual property protection in gaining business and innovation-based advantages. This way, the researchers will prioritize IP protection first before the publication of their works. More products will therefore be produced as researches won’t end in laboratory tests but rather to more tangible assets that can be of direct utility to the people.
Protect Juan Project Phase 2 (PJP 2)
The Juan Protect Project Phase 2 (PJP2) at UP Manila has significantly improved the university’s intellectual property (IP) management capabilities, achieving several key milestones. This phase focused on increasing technology transfer awareness, specifically preparation for technology transfer, securing patents through patent prosecution, and promoting the utilization of university-generated innovations through IP valuation and freedom-to-operate searches.
The IP valuation reports highlighted the significant utilization potential of the university’s technologies, with several innovations valued highly due to their uniqueness and market readiness. The freedom to operate searches consistently confirmed that the assessed technologies do not infringe on existing patents, ensuring a clear path for utilization. Engagement with industry partners has markedly increased, facilitating the commercialization of university innovations and fostering stronger collaboration between academia and industry. Additionally, extensive training programs were conducted, significantly improving the IP knowledge and skills of technology transfer and administrative staff. These training sessions have empowered the university community to better understand and navigate the complexities of IP management, ensuring the protection and effective utilization of their innovations.
PJP2 has made significant strides in building a robust IP infrastructure at UP Manila, positioning the university as a leader in innovation and technology transfer. These accomplishments underscore the project’s success in enhancing IP management capabilities and highlight the potential for future growth and development in this critical area.
Protect Juan Project Phase 3 (PJP 3)
The Protect Juan Project Phase 3 or PJP3, titled “Impacting Every Juan’s Health Through Technology Transfer (Phase 3): Maximizing Value of UPM-generated Technologies through Patent and Trade Secret Protection” aimed to strengthen the IP portfolio of UP Manila by responsibly filing intellectual property applications to bring DOST-funded technologies to market, as well as initiate utilization initiatives for the previously-filed IPs from the previous phase/s.
Innovation and technology management involves strategically choosing between patent protection and treating ideas as trade secrets. While patents offer protection for certain inventions, trade secrets safeguard valuable information without formalities. UP Manila also gives importance to trade secret protection for their technologies, acknowledging their commercial value. This strategic choice evolves over the technology’s lifecycle, with initial emphasis on trade secrets and potential later transition to patents. As the University accumulates trade secrets, maintaining confidentiality becomes pivotal. This deliberate approach ensures the seamless integration of patents and trade secrets in protecting the diverse array of innovations originating from the University.