29 April 2026 – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Biomedical Engineering for Health (BIOMED) Program of the DOST Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), showcased three research initiatives designed to improve biocompatibility testing, enhance clinical training, and address life-threatening congenital conditions during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference.

“Since 2020, the DOST has invested over ₱795 million in the development of locally produced biomedical devices aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system. These projects represent years of dedicated work by our partner researchers, whose commitment continues to drive innovations that improve the quality of healthcare for Filipinos,” DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. said.

Under the DOST-PCHRD’s Biomedical Engineering for Health (BIOMED) Program, support is given to research endeavors that aim to address the increasing need for locally-developed medical tools. Projects supported under the program span a diverse range of priority areas, including the development of biomedical devices for emergency, imaging, medical training tools, rehabilitative and assistive care devices, orthopedics, and local implants.

Three (3) projects under the BIOMED program were featured during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference last April 29, 2026 via Zoom. One of the featured projects focuses on streamlining local biocompatibility testing for skin formulations, by developing a 3D human skin equivalent (HSE) as an alternative to animal studies and sourcing HSEs from abroad. By providing a local substitute to HSE, the project aims to reduce the cost and turnaround time for biocompatibility testing.

Another project focuses on creating a phantom model system as a training tool that will help guide clinicians in gynecologic and obstetrics ultrasound procedures. Aiming to reduce the complications associated with these processes, the system will provide real-time scanning, enabling the simulation of real-time performance of procedures.

Lastly, the third project aims to develop an assistive device which will correct the congenital condition, gastroschisis, which entails an abdominal wall defect at birth that may cause life-threatening complications,  such as hypovolemia, hypothermia and sepsis.

“We are thankful to our media partners who attended the press conference. We hope you help us translate how our initiatives on biomedical devices can positively impact our communities – from testing the efficacy of health products, ensuring the accuracy of diagnoses, up to developing medical devices that will improve quality of lives,” Sec. Solidum added. “We have already started the research. What we want to do now is to make sure that they eventually reach our target beneficiaries– the Filipino people, whom we are committed to serve.”

A replay of the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference may be accessed at the DOST-PCHRD’s Facebook Page.