Frequently Asked Questions

  What is Hybridigm?

We are a consulting firm that partners with our clients, who are usually scientists and/or investors, in order to commercialize biomedical devices, diagnostic kits, or potential therapeutics. Our aim is to generate value for our clients and the general public. We hope to be a seminal part in the birth of a Philippine biotechnology industry.

  What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology is simply a collection of technologies that capitalize on the attributes of cells and biological molecules such as DNA and proteins in order to solve problems or make useful products. There are many kinds of biotechnology. For example, “green” biotech focuses on agricultural and animal husbandry applications, while “red” or medical biotechnology concerns itself with cheaper, more efficient, or breakthrough healthcare. Our firm specializes in commercializing medical biotechnology, but is able to help individuals in agricultural and industrial areas as well.

  What services do you provide?

We have many services for scientists both scientists and investors. For those who would like to know more about patenting, technology transfer, licensing or entrepreneurship; we give seminars and workshops on intellectual property and management of technology and innovation. For scientists who have a prototype or a potentially marketable invention, we offer our consulting services and partner with them in order to successfully commercialize their technology. The firm also provides due-diligence and in-depth analysis for individuals who are thinking of investing in high technology start-ups. Hybridigm also works with lab managers, hospitals and universities by providing scientific communication services and creating public relations material such as press releases, brochures, flyers, banners, signs and websites.

  Do you have any products?

Hybridigm plans to provide e-books in Adobe Acrobat PDF form on many subjects relating to biotechnology. These e-books will cover subjects as diverse as “Inventing and Patenting in the Philippines ” to “An Editor and Reporter's guide to Biotechnology”. Pro-bono pamphlets, also in PDF form, on “Biotechnology and Bioethics”, “Alternative Careers in Science” and “The Emergence of a Philippine Biotech Industry” is scheduled for on-line release in January 2005.

  Why would I want to consult you?

The interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology requires a thorough understanding of the issues that face all potentially marketable technologies. Hybridigm prides itself in the diversity of our skills and our client-focused approach. All team members have been trained in the basic science, business, ethics, law and policies that have built biotechnology industries around the world. We do not simply generate reports or arrange meetings with potential investors; we become partners in your efforts throughout each step of the journey from science to enterprise.

  How much do you cost?

While many other consultants charge hourly or per diem rates, we at Hybridigm prefer to charge per project. The amount of time spent working for our clients is not as reliable a measure of the value we provide as the shared objectives that we can achieve or even surpass by partnering with our clients. In concrete terms, this means that we would first set-up preliminary meetings and conduct an assessment of your needs, how you and our team would work together to meet them and the time it would require. We would then submit a proposal for your approval and only then discuss our consulting fees.

  What is the difference between a seminar and a workshop?

Seminars are generally about a single topic and last from two to four hours (half-day seminar). Typical seminar topics are “Inventing and Patenting in the Philippines ”, “Presentation Skills for Scientists” and “Entrepreneurship for Scientists”. Workshops have an eight hour duration and include many simulations and case studies. Workshops cover two to three topics. Typical course titles are “Management of Technology and Innovation”, “Building a Biomedical Enterprise” and “Effective use of Intellectual Property Rights”. Please click here ( ç link to Seminar and Workshops page ) for a complete list of our course offerings.

  Why should I take one of your seminars or workshops?

Though you may not currently be developing a commercializable technology, it pays to know about intellectual property rights and technopreneurship. Significant investment is required to bring novel technologies to market; companies will only want to invest in those opportunities that can be protected from competition by patent-conferred monopolies. Industry is often apathetic to non-patented innovation. Consequently, these discoveries may never leave the academic laboratory and may never benefit society. In addition, there are substantial benefits to both the primary investigators and their universities/institutions. International standing in the field of science has often been determined by the quantity and quality of papers generated by a scientist and/or their labs, but more and more scientists are now judged by the number and nature of the patents they possess. The prestige conferred by patents adds to the prestige of an institution's staff and therefore the perceived quality of the education, training or services they provide. Licensing fees paid by corporations who would like to commercialize technology also provide passive income to both inventors and their institutions for as long as the firm practices or sells the invention – this may be as long as ten to fifteen years. Technology licensing offices monitor and facilitate these licensing deals.

We at Hybridigm have extensive experience in IPR issues and are able to present the essential knowledge in an easily understandable form. By participating in one of our seminars, we hope to arm you with a basic understanding of how you can make your IPR work best for you.

  When are the regular schedules for seminars and workshops?

While we are in the process of discussing partnerships with other institutions, we do not have a regular schedule for seminars and workshops. We provide them whenever you feel you need them. If you have a minimum of 20 participants, we are happy to come to your department or institution to teach the course.

  Why should I listen to you talk about patents, when none of you are patent lawyers?

Before you approach a patent lawyer, we feel that it is important for our clients to have a foundation in intellectual property, to better facilitate your interaction with a qualified IPR specialist. By taking one of our seminars or workshops, you will be able to ask salient questions and understand the issues involved when you speak to patent attorneys, technology licensing officers and potential investors.

  Are there any discounts available for seminars and workshops?

All prices for our seminars and workshops are inclusive of food, drinks and ring-bound hand-outs. We offer discounts for students (just present your ID at the registration desk) and early-bird discounts for payment upon registration. If you have any other concerns about pricing, please feel free to contact us ( ç link to contact html form ).

  I'm not a scientist or an investor, but I want to know more about biotechnology and its ethical implications. Is there any information out there that is well-written and easy to understand?

You might be surprised to know that there are several books available at local bookstores regarding biotechnology. We have a list of books that we have read, canvassed and bought for our own libraries. Please check out the list and specific reviews in the resources section. The resources section also contains links to several websites that focus on biotechnology issues, from both proponents and detractors. If you'd like to listen in and participate on what we're currently thinking about, you're free to sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter and join the discussion on our web log .

We also conduct seminars on bioethics and technology policy . If you have a minimum of 20 participants, please get in touch with us and we will schedule a two hour talk.

  I'm a student interested in learning more about biotechnology, where do you suggest I start?

Aside from the list of books and links in the resources section, you could attend one of our seminars , download a free e-book , sign up to receive our newsletter and read our discussions on our web log .

  Why should I hire your firm when there are a lot of graphic and web designers with very competitive rates?

We realize that you have many options for graphic and web design services. However, while the creation of brochures, flyers, business cards, press kits, press releases and web sites does fall under the definition of graphic design, we package our services as scientific communication. This is hardly an arbitrary label. We have an extensive collection of high resolution science and technology stock photos, medical textures, and programming expertise in Adobe Photoshop, Bryce 5, 3D Studio Max and Maya. Our IT and design skills are complemented by our knowledge of biomedicine, and our experience in creating public relations materials for many labs and biotech start-ups.

  Why should I ask you to make my posters and/or Powerpoint presentations when I do well enough by myself?

You might not always have time to create posters and presentations. If you've written the content, it would be easy enough for us to lay it out and print your poster on premium paper, tarpaulin, white film, or silk. Given the written content, we are happy to help you create a professional poster or presentation that is suitable to any of your conference needs.

  What type of people do you hire?

We hire undergraduates from any major who have suitable experience (generally 1 or 2 years) in the professions of biomedical science or business or candidates with a post-graduate degree in the life sciences. We feel that a candidate's most important qualities are focus, discipline, critical thinking, creativity and relationship management. If you think you'd like to join the team, please check the available positions and accompanying requirements ( ç Link to careers page )

  I didn't major in science, business or fine arts. Would you still hire someone like me?

We value diversity and take pride in our team's interdisciplinary skill sets. If you are willing to learn the business of biotechnology and posess the focus, discipline, critical thinking, creativity and relationship management skills that are most valuable to us, we would be happy to work with you. We might first ask you to complete an internship with us to further determine your suitability for the position. Please check out the careers section for more details.

  May I try working for you for a few months?

We offer three types of internships: two are summer technopreneurship internships for high school and college students, the third is a two-month professional practice internship for post-graduate candidates.

  I'm only in high school, am I eligible for an internship?

Yes, we offer three technopreneurship internships to exceptionally qualified junior or senior high school students. This one-month internship is for 40 days during your summer vacation. For more details about requirements and the application process, please click here . ( ç Link to careers page, internship anchor )

  What do you expect from your interns?

We at Hybridigm take our obligation to educate our interns very seriously and would require to either prepare a business case or complete a project. At the end of your internship, you would then be required to present a seminar at your high school/university/institution. If available, an outside resource person with relevant interests will accompany your Hybridigm mentor to your seminar in order to better asess your project. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us .