Bioprospecting for Pharmaceutical

Products and Indigenous Knowledge

 Click the Link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hLx_1Q15eY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNYfgicMz58&t=
181s
 Bioprospecting

• Biodiversity prospecting or bioprospecting is

the systematic search for biochemical and
genetic information in nature in order to
develop commercially-valuable products for:
- pharmaceutical
- agricultural
- cosmetic
- other applications
• Bioprospecting is possible both in terrestrial and
marine environments.
• Many molecules, such as trabecetidin (an antitumor
agent) and eribulin (used to treat breast cancer),
were discovered from marine organisms.
 Phases of Bioprospecting
1. Sample collection
2. Isolation
3. Characterization
4. Product development
5. Commercialization
Source: Mother Nature's Medicine Cabinet. The Sciences. Retrieved from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mother-natures-medicine-c/
Microbial Sources of Antibiotics
Summary of the general approaches in extraction, isolation and
characterization of bioactive compound from plants extract
Source: Sasidharan, S. (2010). Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from Plants' Extracts. J Tradit
Complement Altern Med., 8(1), 1–10. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3218439/
Source: Penesyan, A. (2010). Development of Novel Drugs from Marine Surface Associated
Microorganisms. Marin Drugs. 8(3), 438-459. Retrieved from http://www.mdpi.com/1660-
3397/8/3/438/htm
Source: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/fromdnatobeer/exhibition-
interactive/illustrations/penicillin-alternative.html
 Bioprospecting and Nagoya Protocol

• Bioprospecting activities must comply with the

definition of utilization of genetic resources of the
Nagoya Protocol.
• Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources
and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits
Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on
Biological Diversity, also known as the Nagoya
Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is a
2010 supplementary agreement to the 1992
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• The protocol was adopted on 29 October 2010 in
Nagoya, Japan, and entered into force on 12
October 2014.
• It has been ratified by 107 parties, which includes
106 UN member states and the European Union
 Bioprospecting and Nagoya Protocol
• Nagoya Protocol aim is the implementation of one
of the three objectives of the CBD:
- the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising
out of the utilization of genetic resources, thereby
contributing to the conservation and sustainable use
of biodiversity.
 Bioprospecting and Indigeneous Knowledge
• Extract the maximum commercial value from
genetic resources and indigenous knowledge
• Creating a fair compensation system that can
benefit all
 Biopiracy
• Biopiracy is a practice in which indigenous
knowledge of nature, originating with indigenous
peoples, is used by others for profit, without
authorization or compensation to the indigenous
people themselves.
• Biopiracy practices contribute to inequality between
developing countries rich in biodiversity, and
developed countries hosting biotech firms.
 Famous Case of Biopiracy
• The Maya ICBG bioprospecting controversy took
place in 1999–2000.

The International Cooperative Biodiversity Group

led by ethnobiologist Brent Berlin was accused of
being engaged in unethical forms of bioprospecting by
several NGOs and indigenous organizations.
• The ICBG aimed to document the biodiversity of
Chiapas, Mexico and the ethnobotanical knowledge
of the indigenous Maya.
• The possibilities of developing medical products
based on any of the plants used by the indigenous
groups.
 Advantages of Bioprospecting
1. It creates an incentive to monitor and preserve biodiversity in
order to avoid the risk of losing economic opportunities from
competitors or extinction.

2. It promotes technology and knowledge transfer among

countries (North-South and South-South) along with foreign
direct investment.

3. Local populations will become increasingly aware of the

potential economic value of natural habitats, providing
incentives to the domestic population for biodiversity
conservation.
 Advantages of Bioprospecting
4. It promotes innovation, helping countries to
develop new pharmaceutical products.
5. It also favours employment opportunities related to
natural products;
6. It helps to preserve traditional culture and habits by
rediscovering ancient native practices.
 Disadvantages of Bioprospecting
1. Bioprospecting is time-consuming and high risk in
terms of expected returns;
2. Even the most advanced legal frameworks often fail
to offer sufficient protection to traditional knowledge;
3. The Nagoya Protocol coverage is still limited,
increasing the risks of biopiracy from non-signature
countries.
 The Risks of Bioprospecting
1. The returns from bioprospecting are uncertain;
bioprospecting success rates have been low.
2. Unequal capacities of host country stakeholders
lead to unfair negotiation outcomes over benefit
sharing.
3. The negotiation of bioprospecting contracts can be
difficult, including the determination of a fair price
for exploration and commercialization.
 The Risks of Bioprospecting
4. The enforcement of the legal framework, including
biopiracy and intellectual property theft linked to low
capacity in enforcing laws and international treaties.
5. Legal risks, including of litigation in multiple
jurisdictions; conflicts of jurisdiction (e.g. Antarctica)
are more frequent in marine environments;
6. Unsustainable harvesting of resources and other
negative environmental impacts;
7. Social tension in local communities that might
perceive being unfairly treated.
 The positive impact of bioprospecting
can be maximized by:

1. Stronger (national/international) legal

and enforcement measures against
biopiracy.
2. More environmental friendly
bioprospecting operations.
 The positive impact of bioprospecting
can be maximized by:
3. More effective use of resources and stronger
negotiation capacities in the source country (to
increase revenues).
4. Greater investment in research and productive
capacities in the source country to allow local
companies and universities to participate in the whole
value chain.
 The positive impact of bioprospecting
can be maximized by:
5.More robust Access Benefit Sharing
(ABS) frameworks to protect the
culture and interests of local communities.
- All bioprospecting agreements should respect the
customs, traditions, values and customary practices of
indigenous and local communities from which
genetic resources have been obtained.
 Bioprospecting in the Philippines
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 247
• PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES AND ESTABLISHING A
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROSPECTING OF
BIOLOGICAL AND GENETIC RESOURCES, THEY'RE BY
PRODUCT AND DERIVATIVES, FOR SCIENTIFIC AND
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,
• Issued on 18 May 1995

http://www.bic.searca.org/info_kits/policies/eo247.html
Retrieved from: https://businessmirror.com.ph/denr-firming-up-plan-vs-biopiracy-protect-
plant-animal-resources-with-medicinal-value/
 Bioprospecting in the Philippines
• Implementing Rules and Regulations on the
Prospecting of Biological and Genetic Resources in
the Philippines, Administrative Order No. 96-20

• http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=22
4704
 Who are the Stakeholders?

• Government agencies as policy makers

– State – DENR, DOH, DA (agriculture), or DOST, DTI,
DFA (for international linkage); PAWB (Protected
Areas and Wildlife Bureau) and other agencies
– Indigenous communities
– Local communities
– Academic institutions for research purposes
• Universities, Research Institutes
• Commercial/academic collector
– NGO representative
– People’s organization
 Case in Focus
• Hoodia is a plant used by the San people of South
Africa as an appetite suppressant when hunting or
travelling on long journeys.
• There were long negotiations between the San and
pharmaceutical company Pfizer, which was
interested in developing products based on hoodia.
The San eventually won the right to royalties from
any products based on hoodia.

Source: http://www.enviropaedia.com/topic/default.php?topic_id=300
 Cactus plant
believed to curb
the appetite
 For Further Reading
Scientist at work: Bio-prospecting for better enzymes
April 24, 2017
Jeffrey Gardner, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• Bio-prospecting is the search for useful materials
from natural sources. A biologist explains what we
can learn from bacteria about breaking down plant
material, and how we can use that knowledge.

 http://theconversation.com/global/topics/bioprospecting-25443
Justice is still not being done in the exploitation of
indigenous products April 5, 2016
Rachel Wynberg, University of Cape Town
• Good models have been developed to ensure
benefit sharing in the biodiversity business. But
major challenges prevent developing countries from
translating this into social justice.

 http://theconversation.com/global/topics/bioprospecting-25443
 References
• Bioprospecting.
Financing Solutions for Sustainable Development.
United Nations Development Programme.
retrieved from
https://www.undp.org/content/sdfinance/en/home/s
olutions/bioprospecting.html
 References

• Mother Nature's Medicine Cabinet. The Sciences.

Retrieved from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mother
-natures-medicine-c/
• Penesyan, A. (2010). Development of Novel Drugs
from Marine Surface Associated Microorganisms.
Marin Drugs. 8(3), 438-459. Retrived from
http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/8/3/438/htm
 References

• Sasidharan, S. (2010). Extraction, Isolation and

Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from
Plants' Extracts. J Tradit Complement Altern Med.,
8(1), 1–10. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC32
18439/
 Other Sources
• https://www.undp.org/content/sdfinance/en/home
/solutions/bioprospecting.html
• https://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/topics/biopro
specting.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_lT6mJM_fA