CATBALOGAN CITY – Engr. Nikko Ardel P. Floretes of Samar State University (SSU) recently completed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), through its Lab-to-Market (L2M) Program.
The WIPO L2M program funded by Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) continues to strengthen innovation and technology transfer capacities across the ASEAN region.
The program addresses the long-standing challenge of transforming research outputs into commercially viable products and services by equipping participants with competencies in intellectual property (IP) management, market validation, technology transfer, and research commercialization. Through initiatives such as the L2M Program, WIPO supports universities, researchers, and innovators in bridging the gap between laboratory research and industry application.
Throughout the program, participants underwent a series of workshops, consultations, and mentoring activities focused on intellectual property management, business modeling, market validation, and commercialization strategies.
The onsite training held in Thailand in November 2025, with all expenses sponsored by WIPO, marked the initial phase of the L2M journey, introducing participants to innovation commercialization frameworks, startup development strategies, intellectual property valuation, and industry engagement approaches. A key focus of the program is addressing the “valley of death,” a term commonly used in innovation ecosystems to describe the gap between laboratory research and successful market adoption.
The mentoring sessions officially started in December 2025 and concluded in May 6, 2026, with the mentees presenting their project outputs through an online platform before mentors and fellow participants across the ASEAN region.
Among the 12 representatives selected for the program across ASEAN, four participants were from the Philippines, representing SSU, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines Manila, and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines.
During the online mentoring sessions, Engr. Floretes was part of the project titled “Marine Vessel Monitoring for Marine Protected Areas” led by Engr. Francis Jerric J. Candido. Under the expertise of Ms. Jordan Armstrong of Oxentia, the team received valuable insights and strategic guidance highlighting the critical gaps in the project’s commercialization pathway, enabling the research team to refine market strategies, improve commercialization planning, and address future implementation requirements. This allowed the team to strengthen the commercialization framework of the project while aligning it to the industry and stakeholder needs.
The research team is also composed of Engr. Rojay A. Flores, Engr. Adrian U. Gadin, Engr. Walvies Mc L. Alcos, Engr. Justin Manuel C. Mora, Faustino L. Candido, Roniel P. Dela Rosa, Noel S. Orbong, Glory Mae C. Gososo, Ephraim John A. Gadin, John Patrick J. Quemaño, Reyna Grace G. Jabon, Glory Grace E. Godin.
Reflecting the experience, Engr. Floretes articulated his commitment to translating the shared best practices and commercialization strategies of leading universities and innovation institutions across ASEAN at Samar State University.
“After the L2M Program, I will use what I’ve learned to help improve how our university turns research into real-world applications,” said Engr. Floretes. “I will support the evaluation and commercialization of research outputs as well as on strengthening our IP and technology transfer processes.”