A quest for discovery

The two letters 'R and D' written together, means Research and Development. It is a well-known short-term used for an activity that literally makes the world go around. Yes, progress would not be possible without research and development. Every new invention that we take for granted today (the motor car, television, radio, microwave and washing machine) remained a figment of imagination in someone's mind until research was conducted and a product was developed.

Man made discoveries and invented new products since ancient days. The wheel is one such invention which literally changed the world. When Archimedes shouted 'Eureka' in his bath, the world received new knowledge. It continues to this day, around the world. We hear of new discoveries and new products almost daily.

Universities have traditionally been a `hotbed' for research all over the world. Many far-reaching discoveries have been made at these portals of learning. Yet, universities in Sri Lanka have lagged behind in research. Thus their contribution to the R and D field has not been all that encouraging.

However, there are indications that this situation is changing. According to a recent news item, the Ruhuna University Engineering Faculty has successfully concluded research on manufacturing paper using invasive aquatic plant species as raw materials. These plants had proved to be a severe threat to the environment.

The successful research of six months conducted by 25-year-old S.H.C.S. Gunawardena, a fourth year university student resulted in finding a feasible use of the invasive aquatic plant species. The research was done under the supervision of the Engineering Faculty Dean, Prof. Champa Navaratne and Senior Lecturer S. Wijetunga.

This is by all accounts a triumph for university research in Sri Lanka. Rather than wasting money trying to eradicate these plant species, the researchers have found a way to use them for a better purpose. That is the whole idea behind good and effective research - make discoveries and things which are useful to people. In this particular case, they have probably stopped the destruction of hundreds of useful trees felled for manufacturing paper, provided that their method is commercialised.

Herein lies a challenge. No new idea, no new product can become successful if it is not commercialised or in other words, mass marketed. The motor car had been there for nearly 30 years until Ford came along and introduced a way to manufacture cars in greater numbers, thus bringing prices down. The bulb would have remained another bright idea of Edison until companies such as Thorn commercialised the product.

This is why a university-private sector nexus is vital for research. This is commonplace in many other countries where the universities are primarily known for research. Private sector companies fund research and if the research is successful, feasibility tests are carried out prior to full commercialisation. Obviously, there is a gap between the end of research and the launch of a commercial product due to the time taken up by the regulatory approvals process.

The close affinity between universities and the private sector abroad is illustrated by the following news item, which I picked up from the wires on June 29:

"Spencer Pharmaceutical Inc. announced today that it has an agreement with one of Canada's Premier Research Centers, University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM).

Spencer Pharmaceutical has a very unique business model due to its privileged relationships with world-class researchers and their facilities. These relationships allow Spencer to acquire specific technologies and patents with a focus targeting certain diseases and accelerated "time to market. Spencer's role will be to develop the applications from the platforms technologies while marketing to industrial and commercial partners.

Dr. Max Arella, CEO of Spencer, is proud to announce an agreement with UQAM (University of Quebec in Montreal), whereby Spencer has already invested in the ongoing research and has made a financial commitment to fund the research until commercialisation.

As part of the agreement, Spencer has acquired the rights to develop a submitted patented technology for many applications for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases.

Spencer Pharmaceutical Inc. is a US based Pharmaceutical Research and Development Corporation, which is developing innovative drug release and absorption systems for the treatment of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome."

This is illustrative of the inextricable link between the university research departments and the private sector in advanced countries, where the latter keeps a close tab on research activity in the universities and snaps up rights to further testing/development of any viable product(s). This helps both parties - universities receive funds for research and day-to-day work, while the companies get access to the latest products which can then be commercialised swiftly. This should happen here as well if universities are to remain competitive and relevant in the modern world. The same would apply to specialised research institutions such as the Medical Research Institute (MRI).

Regardless of whether it is an individual, university or company that introduces a new discovery, concept or product, it is essential to get a patent to assert one's right to that particular product. This is done by getting a patent. However, many researchers and inventors in Sri Lanka have little or no idea about the patenting process, with the result that some companies market inventors' products without even paying licensing or royalty fees.

The inventors are helpless in these cases, as they have not patented their products in the first place and have only themselves to blame for the loss of reputation - and money. It was only a couple of weeks ago that a TV station highlighted one such case where an invention had been copied and exhibited without the knowledge of the inventor. This type of situation can be avoided if there was a better understanding of the patenting process. The general understanding is that an invention is patentable if it (a) is new (not known in the body of existing knowledge) (b) industrially applicable (functional and operative) and (c) involves an inventive step.

In Sri Lanka, patents are issued by the National Intellectual Property Office. According to this office, "patents protect inventions and ensure the inventors the benefits resulting from the inventions thereby providing incentives for creativity, encouraging further inventions and promoting investment. Patent documents describe newly invented technologies and are available for anyone to refer to. They contain vital information for researchers, inventors and enterprises etc. who want to keep up with new developments, carry out R&D activities and use new technologies."

The State grants the inventor, by means of a patent, the right to exclude others from making, using and selling the qualified invention for 20 years from the date of application for it. The owner of the patent can use, sell or license the patented technology and derive financial benefits.

That is most significant and unfortunately, many do not realise the importance of patenting their innovations and inventions. But a patent issued in Sri Lanka is valid only in Sri Lanka. This also poses problems as someone could copy a local invention and patent it abroad as his own, unless the inventor has applied for international patents. That too is a fairly straightforward process - one can apply via the Patent Cooperation Treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

The theft of ideas is especially rife in the bio-genetics field. A foreign national was apprehended at the BIA recently while trying to smuggle out 7.5 kg of the protected medicinal plant Kothala Himbutu (Salacia reticulada) to Japan, where patents have been obtained by chemical companies for Kothala Himbutu products. In the light of this incident, the Government has decided to appoint a Task Force to prevent bio-piracy, which is a commendable step. Even more urgent is the need to obtain patent rights for some of our herbal medicines and other products derived from indigenous flora. Our universities and research facilities must be actively involved in this process. There is also a need for more medical research at university level. We spend billions of rupees each year on drug imports. If even a minuscule proportion of these funds can be saved through locally researched and commercialised medicines, it would be a major achievement.

Another area where more research (and invention) is needed is agriculture. Sri Lanka has dedicated research centres for paddy, tea, coconut and rubber. These should be provided with all facilities to intensify their research and link up with foreign research institutions and universities. Our vocational training institutions too could be used as centres of research and invention.

Research and invention have perhaps lost their allure for the younger generation, most of whom would rather prefer a well-paid job as soon as they come out of university. But this need not be the case. Research can be extremely lucrative in the long run, especially if a successful product is commissioned. Universities, specialist research institutions and the private sector should thus encourage a creative streak and a quest for discovery among the youth of Sri Lanka.