Philippines-based BauerTek Pharmaceutical Technologies has entered a strategic research collaboration with Rizal Technological University (RTU) focused on medicinal plant cultivation and pharmaceutical-grade raw material production, according to The Manila Times.

BauerTek general manager Richard Nixon Gomez and RTU president Ma Eugenia Yangco signed the memorandum of agreement, with former Department of Science and Technology (DOST) secretary Fortunato Dela Peña witnessing the ceremony.

The partnership establishes RTU as a dedicated cultivation site for moringa, a nutrient-dense plant increasingly used in nutraceutical formulations.

BauerTek will integrate the university-produced materials into its supplement manufacturing operations, which currently rely on a network of state universities and colleges across the Philippines.

The collaboration receives backing from both DOST and the Department of Agriculture, positioning it within the government's broader agenda to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical supply chains.

RTU's involvement extends beyond simple cultivation, encompassing research initiatives aimed at optimising growing conditions, yield quality and extraction processes for pharmaceutical applications.

For RTU, the agreement creates practical training opportunities for students in agricultural biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences whilst enabling faculty to conduct applied research with direct commercial relevance. The project also introduces livelihood opportunities for local farming communities involved in plantation operations.

BauerTek's model of sourcing from academic institutions addresses two strategic objectives: securing traceable, quality-controlled raw materials whilst supporting knowledge transfer between industry and academia.

The company manufactures nutraceutical products that require stringent quality standards, making university-based production facilities with established quality management systems particularly suitable partners.

Discover how academic-industry partnerships are strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains in Southeast Asia in the complete article.