“Read Aloud” Companion:

Manila, Philippines

In the dynamic world of innovation, where groundbreaking research meets the demands of society, Dr. Lourdes Marie Tejero stands out. As the Director of the University of the Philippines Manila's Technology Transfer and Business Development Office or the TTBDO, Doc Ludy, as she is called dearly by her team, staff, colleagues, and friends, is a driving force in transforming academic discoveries into tangible solutions that benefit the Filipino community. 

Her unique journey from a nursing background to a leader in intellectual property (IP) commercialization exemplifies a deep commitment to bridging the gap "from lab to market, up until the intended end user."

Dr. Tejero's path to her current role is as unconventional as it is inspiring. With a strong foundation in nursing, she pursued translational medicine at the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco, and further honed her expertise through a Fellowship program for Health Innovation in Silicon Valley. 

This rich blend of clinical understanding and innovation acumen ignited her passion to ensure that academic research in the health sector doesn't remain confined to laboratories but actively reaches and improves the lives of people.

"My nursing background instilled in me a deep understanding of patient needs and the challenges faced in healthcare delivery," Dr. Tejero shares. “This perspective is invaluable in technology transfer, as it allows us to prioritize innovations that truly address real-world health issues and can be effectively adopted by communities, especially the underserved."

Championing Innovation within UP Manila

Under her astute leadership, the UP Manila TTBDO plays a pivotal role in safeguarding and leveraging the intellectual property generated by the university's vibrant community of students, faculty, and staff. 

The office actively guides inventors through the complex landscape of IP protection, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. This is particularly crucial given UP Manila's affiliation with the Philippine General Hospital, a major public hospital serving a vast and diverse patient population. 

The TTBDO’s portfolio of health innovations is growing, encompassing a range of solutions from promising herbal medicines to cutting-edge medical devices. Dr. Tejero emphasizes the importance of staying abreast of global developments, fostering collaborations with international organizations, and nurturing close working relationships with government agencies and private sector entities like the Licensing Executive Society. "The government-driven ecosystem in the Philippines is truly at the forefront of bringing research projects forward," she notes, highlighting the critical national support for innovation.

Embracing Traditional Knowledge and Addressing Public Health

Doc Ludy holds an unwavering advocacy for the integration of traditional knowledge into modern Philippine healthcare, particularly in geographically isolated areas where access to conventional medicine may be limited. She points to the success of scientifically validated and commercialized herbal medicines developed by Dr. Maramba and her team, such as Lagundi, as a testament to the efficacy of traditional practices. Other herbal medicines they developed that are equally effective based on clinical trials include the Sambong, Ampalaya, Yerba Buena, Ulasimang Bato, among others. All these are now available for licensing from UP Manila through the TTBDO.

Beyond intellectual property, Dr. Tejero advocates for critical public health priorities in the post-pandemic era. She emphasizes the urgent need to refocus on diseases neglected during the pandemic, especially those affecting children like parasitic infections, and to comprehensively address issues of nutrition and mental health. 

Her vision extends to fostering public-private partnerships to expand the availability of effective herbal medicines for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and kidney stones. She also passionately highlights the importance of fostering children's holistic development through traditional play, emphasizing its role in social, emotional, and physical growth.

Paving the Way for IP Utilization and Future Innovation

Dr. Tejero's expertise in IP utilization and technology transfer is a beacon for the Philippines. She acknowledges the invaluable support from the national government, particularly the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, which provides free seminars and assistance to innovators. While local governments may face challenges in prioritizing IP, Dr. Tejero points to successful licensing of inventions, such as rice varieties by other state universities, as models for the future.

In the public health and medical fields, she champions licensing, spin-offs, and industry partnerships as effective technology transfer models. Looking ahead, while recognizing the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in IP commercialization, she firmly believes in the irreplaceable value of human interaction and a profound understanding of end-user needs.

"Innovation is not just about groundbreaking science; it's about connecting that science to the people who need it most," Dr. Tejero concludes. As global shifts in health consciousness, digital transformation, and climate change reshape strategies, her office remains committed to ensuring that IP utilization in the Philippines drives meaningful impact. 

Dr. Lourdes Marie Tejero, with her unique blend of nursing empathy and IP acumen, continues to lead the charge in fostering an environment where university-driven innovation translates into a healthier, more resilient future for all Filipinos.

Listen to the Full Interview Here:

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Created and Written by Alexandra Palacpac, UandIP/U&IP 2025.⁠

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