Raul V. Destura

President and Chief Executive Officer
Manila HealthTek Inc.
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Dr. Destura is a molecular microbiologist and infectious disease specialist. He took his bachelor’s degree in Microbiology at the University of Sto. Tomas and his medical degree and specialty in internal medicine at the De la Salle Health Sciences Institute. He went to the University of the Philippines for his subspecialty training in Infectious Diseases.
He received a research scholarship to the International Training and Fellowship on Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Center for Global Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine. He also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Ateneo Graduate School of Business.
He is a diplomate and fellow in Infectious Diseases. He joined the NIH Philippines and became director of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
He dedicated his work to identification of diagnostic targets and evaluation of diagnostic platforms best suited in developing country scenario. His most important work is the “Lab-in-a-mug” project which functions as a multi-infectious disease diagnostic platform with its principal product the Biotek-MTM Dengue aqua kit that received local and international recognition such as NSTW Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award given by the National Academy of Science and Technology (2016), as gold medalist in the 46th International Invention Exhibition in Geneva Switzerland in 2018, Gawad Dagisik for Medical Sciences given by the Department of Science and Technology in 2019.
Through the Technology Transfer Act of 2009, he built the Manila HealthTek Incorporated, the very first university spin-off company from the University of the Philippines in Health Biotechnology. He is a recipient of national and international awards including the Bill and Melinda Gates travel scholarship in Molecular Helminthology in 2005, Outstanding Young Scientist of the Philippines for Medicine in 2008; UP Manila Research Productivity award, the Top 20 Young Physician Leaders from the Inter-academy Medical Panel in Berlin, Germany, and The Outstanding Young Men
(TOYM) all given in 2011; Dr. Jose P. Rizal National Award in Research from the Philippine Medical Association and Dr. Eusebio Y. Garcia Award in Molecular Biology and Molecular Pathology from the National Research Council of the Philippines in 2015. In 2019, he received the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award from the President of the Philippines. In 2020, he was named among top 100 Asian Scientist in the Asian Science Magazine. His latest work is the local RT-PCR kit for the detection of the SARS CoV 2 virus. In 2024 he received the Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr. Outstanding Health Research Award (Biomedical Research Category) from the Department of Health – PCHRD for his research on the “Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases Program.”

 

Speech title & Synopsis

The Quintuple Helix of Innovation: Healthcare Research and Development in the Philippines – My Spin-off Story 

The Quintuple Helix of Innovation: Healthcare Research and Development in the Philippines – My Start-up Journey explores a transformative and collaborative model for advancing healthcare innovation through the lens of a personal entrepreneurial experience. This talk delves into the journey of building a start-up rooted in the Quintuple Helix framework, which emphasizes the synergy among five key sectors—academe, environment, industry, government, and civil society. Grounded in the realities of the Philippine healthcare landscape, the speaker shares insights into how each sector plays a vital role in shaping sustainable and inclusive research and development efforts. From initiating partnerships with universities to ensure a strong foundation in science and knowledge creation, to engaging industries for funding, scalability, and technological support, the journey underscores the value of cross-sector collaboration. Government involvement is highlighted as essential for setting policy direction, offering regulatory guidance, and providing infrastructure and support. The environment, often overlooked in innovation models, is integrated as a core consideration—ensuring that solutions are not only effective but sustainable and responsive to the ecological context. Finally, civil society is positioned as both a beneficiary and a contributor, with their lived experiences and advocacy playing a crucial role in shaping needs-based innovations. The talk also reflects on the challenges and lessons learned in aligning these diverse stakeholders toward a unified goal. It offers a real-world narrative of how this holistic, quintuple helix approach enabled the birth and growth of a start-up aimed at transforming health research into tangible, impactful solutions. By the end of the session, participants will gain a deeper appreciation of how collaborative innovation, sustainability, and inclusive stakeholder engagement can redefine healthcare R&D and drive meaningful change in the Philippines and beyond.

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