The Scale-up Mussel Sauce Project under the UPV Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO) inked a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) with Lorenzana Food Corporation last April 11, 2023 at the FTBI Building, UP Visayas. 

UP Visayas was represented by Chancellor Dr. Clement C. Camposano and Dr. Reynold D. Tan, TTBDO Director and Project Leader of the Scale-up Mussel Sauce Project. Lorenzana Food Corporation was represented by Mr. David Lorenzana, COO, Manufacturing, Research and Development and Mr. Jose Luis U. Yulo Jr., President. 

Chancellor Camposano said that in doing research and innovations, UPV should include in the equation the private (industry) sector. “We’re trying to do that systematically but also gradually and we are going towards this direction in our TBI’s” he added. He said that UPV is indeed very lucky to have a positive response from the industry which will enable the university to contribute to the country’s development. 

As a response, Mr. Jose Luis Yulo, Jr. of Lorenzana Food Corporation highlighted the importance of research and development in terms of advancing businesses. Furthermore, Mr. David Lorenzana said, “We are very excited with this partnership, we feel that it will be a great success not only for us but also for UP and other stakeholders”. They are also eyeing to have more collaborations with the university in the future in terms of commercializing different research innovations.

Also present in the signing ceremony were Ms. Helen Reyes of GRF Hublag Inc., the partner people’s organization of the project; Ms. Ernestina M. Peralta, the Mussel Sauce technology developer; Ms. Milyn Leghid, FTBI Project Leader; and Prof. John Lorenz Belanio, UPV Vice Chancellor for Administration. Alongside them were the mussel sauce project team and the TTBDO staff. 

“This collaboration is timely and relevant in the lives of our stakeholders. I hope we can keep the partnership going and moving so that we can change the lives of the many”, said Dr. Reynold D. Tan, UPV TTBDO Director. 

After the CRA signing, the group went for a tour in different research facilities of the university which includes the UPV Regional Research Center and the Philippine Genome Center Visayas.