Text by: Charmaine A. Lingdas
In recognition of his groundbreaking work in biomedical research, Dr. Raul V. Destura, a leading scientist at the National Institutes of Health, UP Manila, has been awarded the 2024 Alberto G. Romualdez Jr. Outstanding Health Research Award (AROHRA) for his pioneering efforts in infectious disease diagnostics. The award, presented on August 16, 2024, during the 17th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) celebration in Butuan City, acknowledges the transformative impact of the Biotek-M™ Dengue Aqua Kit, a locally developed, cost-effective tool for the early detection of dengue fever.
The AROHRA, renamed in 2014 to honor the late Dr. Alberto G. Romualdez Jr., the first Executive Director of the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), is an award given every three years to Filipino researchers whose work has significantly addressed prevalent health issues in the Philippines.
This year’s award, specifically in the Biomedical Research category, highlights the exceptional contribution of Dr. Destura’s program, which integrates research findings into practical applications that benefit the health delivery system.
Revolutionizing Dengue Detection
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, poses a significant health risk, particularly to young children. Early and accurate detection is crucial to managing the disease effectively. However, the high cost and limited accessibility of existing diagnostic methods, such as the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, have left many especially those in marginalized sectors vulnerable. Recognizing this need, Dr. Destura and his team developed the Biotek-M™ Dengue Aqua Kit, a molecular test that simplifies the detection of dengue at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. The kit, which uses a simple heating device to amplify RNA (ribonucleic acid) products, provides results in less than an hour. This innovation not only makes dengue diagnosis more affordable but also more accessible, ensuring that even those in resource-limited settings can benefit from early detection.
From Concept to Commercialization
The project, initially funded under the “Lab-in-a-Mug” initiative by various government agencies including the DOST, was designed to create portable, affordable diagnostic tools for multiple infectious diseases In 2013, Dr. Destura founded Manila HealthTek Inc., a spin-off company dedicated to the development, manufacturing, and distribution of diagnostic technologies like the Biotek-M™ kit. The company, now mass-producing the kits in Marikina, has made significant strides in bringing this life-saving technology to hospitals and local government units across the country.
The Biotek-M™ kit has been internationally recognized, winning a gold medal at the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Destura himself was also conferred the prestigious Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award on September 10, 2019, in Malacañang.
Dr. Destura’s work extends beyond dengue diagnostics. True to its role as a leading research university addressing the health needs of Filipinos, UP Manila played a pivotal role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Dr. Destura leading the development of the first locally produced RT-PCR testing kit for COVID-19. Despite the resource limitations of the Philippines, the GenAmplify™ COVID-19 RT-PCR Detection Kit was developed in a matter of weeks, demonstrating the resilience and capability of the local science and technology sector. The testing kits, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 3, 2020, following three weeks of field validation, have since been rolled out as part of the national government’s efforts to combat the virus.
