Iloilo’s University of San Agustin (USA) officially obtained its patent from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) last 10 October 2025 for the methods in purifying antibiotic compounds from Cajanus cajan (Pigeon Pea, locally known as kadios). The research study on kadios was conducted with support from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). 

Valid until 31 August 2042, the patent grants the USA and its partner manufacturer, Maridan Industries, Inc., the right to prohibit any unauthorized person or entity in making, using, selling, or importing any product obtained directly or indirectly from its process of purifying compounds with antibiotic activities from kadios seeds. 

Researcher from the University of San Agustin doing research on Kadios

This development was born from years of extensive research by the USA – Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology (C2B2) on kadios seeds under the leadership of Dr. Doralyn Dalisay and with support from the DOST-PCHRD’s Tuklas Lunas® Program. Through this undertaking, the research team identified antibiotic compounds against multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, leading to the commercial launch of the Skivios-product line in July 2023. 

“We initiated this research on kadios with the hope to reinforce our country’s antimicrobial arsenal against the rising threat of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Building on this research, we were successful in launching Skivios for skin problems and infections in 2023.” Dr. Dalisay said. “This patent recognizes our years of research, and will help us in scaling up our initiatives on the production of these kadios-based products by providing us exclusive rights in production and manufacturing,” she added.

DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya highlighted the success of the project, which involved two years of research and has since achieved two years of market presence following its 2023 product launch. He said, “We are proud to see how in just five years, Dr. Dalisay’s team was able to achieve significant feats in developing the kadios antibiotic products – from discovering its bioactivity against multidrug resistant pathogens, developing and commercializing Skivios, up to securing the patent from IPOPHL which grants them protection and commercial advantage in producing the formulations.” 

“The team’s success stands for what our Tuklas Lunas program aims to promote – to foster the development of homegrown drugs by capitalizing  the country’s megadiversity and the expertise of Filipino talent,” Dr. Montoya added. 

Skivios products: Soothing Facial Mist Toner (L) and the Soothing Serum Gel (R)

To date, the Skivios-product line both born from the now-patented kadios purifying process, is now commercially available through online shopping platforms. The line includes a soothing antibacterial serum gel and a soothing antibacterial facial mist toner.