16  December 2014 - The Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Novartis Pharma AG signed a memorandum of agreement on December 12 in Basel, Switzerland to collaborate in promoting and advancing the “Tuklas Lunas” (Cure Discovery) Program in the Philippines particularly in the area of natural substance and products research and development.

The "Tuklas Lunas" Program seeks to unify the research institutions in the various regions of the Philippines for the discovery of new drugs from natural substances endemic to the county. DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said the program is an innovative way to strengthen health research and harness the capabilities of health researchers in the regions to develop new drugs for tropical and other diseases, including cancer, dengue fever and malaria.

Sec. Montejo was in Basel to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with Novartis.  Under the agreement, Novartis shall be taking in Filipino scientists to participate in the Novartis Next Generation Scientist Program, intended to support talented and motivated post-graduate students through 3 month-long internships at its campus and research site in Basel.

The training program shall allow the Filipino “interns” nominated by DOST to work with top Novartis scientists on specific scientific or clinical research projects.  The Filipino scientists can investigate research questions of interest to their local communities in the Philippines and make use of Novartis’ pioneering biomedical research technologies.

The DOST is the lead science and technology agency in the Philippines that provides central direction and coordination of all scientific and technological activities to support national development.

NOVARTIS, a Swiss corporation engaged in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, is committed to the promotion of advancement of science and the importance of nurturing scientific talents. END