03/06/2026
๐ง๐๐ -๐๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ฆ๐ผ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐, ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ โ Serving as the team's official presenter, Research and Marketing Assistant Charles Justin R. Gan represented TAM-IS BioSolutions and Co-Lab Life Sciences, Inc. before a distinguished panel of judges, investors, researchers, and industry leaders at the 10th Leave a Nest TECH PLANTER in the Philippines 2026. Joined by team members Kelcie Jacob, Ysha Delfin, and Co-Lab Vice President Kyle Taruc, Gan successfully presented the team's technology, helping secure both the Grand Prize and the UntroD Capital Asia Award during the Demo Day held on May 30, 2026, at the Frassati Auditorium, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Building, University of Santo Tomas, Manila.
TAM-IS BioSolutions, a research unit composed of Co-Lab R&D scientists specializing in microbial-based biofertilizers, was recognized for its pioneering deep tech innovation addressing key challenges in sugarcane production and soil health. Through Gan's presentation, the team highlighted how their technology aims to reduce sugarcane losses while improving soil nutrient availability, contributing to more efficient, resilient, and sustainable agricultural systems.
At the center of the innovation is JQTJ1, a thermophilic ("heat-loving") bacterial strain developed to support crop productivity under increasingly challenging environmental conditions. The project represents one of the first Philippine-led initiatives to harness thermophilic microorganisms for agricultural applications, addressing the growing need for climate-resilient farming solutions.
The achievement also underscores the importance of mentorship and collaborative research in transforming scientific discoveries into real-world technologies. The team expressed its gratitude to project head and Co-Lab CEO Dr. Joval Martinez for his continued guidance and support throughout the research and development process.
Organized by Leave a Nest Group Philippines, TECH PLANTER serves as a platform that brings together researchers, startups, and industry partners to accelerate the development and commercialization of deep tech solutions. Beyond the competition itself, TECH PLANTER emphasizes ecosystem building through Leave a Nest's global Knowledge Platform, connecting innovators with partners across academia, industry, and government to create opportunities for collaboration, investment, and regional expansion.
As Leave a Nest Philippines continues its mission to strengthen the country's innovation ecosystem, TECH PLANTER remains a cornerstone initiative in cultivating science-driven entrepreneurship and enabling technologies that create meaningful real-world impact.
Through this achievement, Co-Lab Life Sciences reinforces its mission of making science more accessible, understandable, and impactful while highlighting the growing presence of Visayas-based innovation within the Philippine deep tech landscape. The victory also demonstrates how young Filipino researchers and science communicators such as Charles Gan are helping bring locally developed technologies onto the national stage.
Caption and photos by Charles Justin R. Gan
Co-Lab Life Sciences
-LabLifeSciences
