IPOPHL leads ASEAN TISC Network to make region a global innovation powerhouse

IPOPHL leads ASEAN TISC Network to make region a global innovation powerhouse

March 10, 2025

The Philippines, under the leadership of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), is committed to expanding the ASEAN Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) Network to enhance intellectual property (IP) protection, commercialization and ensure research and development spending translates to impact-driven innovation.

Director General Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz committed to work with regional counterparts in boosting the TISC Network, emphasizing the importance of ensuring its effectiveness in building capacity, sharing knowledge, promoting technology transfer, and supporting startups, research institutions and creative industries.

“The Philippines is proud to be leading the charge in cultivating a robust, sustainable and collaborative ASEAN TISC Network, enabling Member States to see the value of fostering TISC hubs while ensuring each existing TISC fulfills its critical role in driving innovation not just regionally but globally,” said da Costa-Villaluz at the TISC Regional Meeting for Strengthening the ASEAN Regional Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) Network held in Siem Reap, Cambodia from February 27 – 28, 2025. The meeting was organized by the World IP Organization (WIPO) and the Department of IP under the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, with support from the Japan Patent Office (JPO).

“The ASEAN TISC Network must ensure R&D is transformed to impact through IP and that the ASEAN innovation scene keeps with the fast paced world, attracting intra-regional investments and realizing the region’s potential to be the epicenter of global economic growth,” she added.

The Network will oversee the establishment, collaboration and regional activities of TISCs in ASEAN with the overarching goal of achieving the IP commercialization and innovation goals of the ASEAN IP Rights Action Plan and the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2045.

Established by WIPO in 2009, TISCs are hubs that support innovators in creating, protecting and managing their IP rights. Hosted in private and public institutions such as patent offices, universities, research centers, science and technology parks and chambers of commerce, TISCs are driving innovation from within knowledge centers and technology hubs.

Across ASEAN, the Philippines is considered to be the most mature in advancing the TISC Program, locally known as the Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) Program. The Philippines boasts 96 ITSOs or TISC establishments accounting for over 40% of all TISCs operating in ASEAN as of January 2024.

The Philippines was designated as the Chair of the ASEAN TISC Network by the ASEAN Working Group on IP Cooperation (AWGIPC) during the 74th AWGIPC Meeting held December 16 – 20, 2024, in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. But the Philippines’ leadership officially began at the 1st ASEAN TISC Network Meeting held last month on the sidelines of the WIPO Regional Meeting in Cambodia.

During the meeting, representatives of the ASEAN Member States identified the specific needs of the TISCs and engaged in discussions on potential regional activities aimed at further enhancing TISC capabilities. These activities will focus on addressing emerging technological trends, regional TISC collaboration, strengthening IP infrastructure and fostering innovation and commercialization. The outcomes of the discussions are expected to lay the groundwork for a more resilient, interconnected and globally competitive ASEAN IP ecosystem.

“To ensure that no one is left behind, the ASEAN TISC Network must be a force for innovation, cooperation and sustainable growth in the region. The ideas we generate today will contribute to the goals of ASEAN in the coming years so let us seize this moment to build a more innovative, sustainable and resilient ASEAN,” emphasized Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau (DITTB) Director Ralph Jarvis H. Alindogan who presided over the meeting.

DITTB Assistant Director Chamlette D. Garcia, Capiz State University President Efren Linan and Caraga State University Vice President Jeffrey Dellosa were also present in the meeting to share their experiences in driving the impact of TISCs and offer recommendations. # # # (Janina Lim, Information Officer III)