The ASEAN Liver Research Initiative (ALRI) held its 1st Meeting on 17-18 October 2024, with member country initiators represented by the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam to set the direction of the Initiative’s activities. 

Hosted by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the 1st ALRI Meeting was conducted to identify priority areas and special working groups, as well as formulate concept proposals to be undertaken by its members. 

“The ASEAN Liver Research Initiative Meeting is well-crafted to support a broad range of liver research activities, from clinical studies to practical applications, aiming to generate evidence for better disease prevention and treatment strategies,” said the DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr. The DOST, through the PCHRD, contributes to the ALRI by serving as its Secretariat. 

As a result of the meeting, the ALRI identified its three priority areas for liver research namely: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), viral hepatitis, and machine learning or artificial intelligence for liver research. The initiative also determined strategies to forward liver research in the region such as forging collaborative research, conducting capacity building and training, and exploring funding opportunities. 

To stress the importance of collaborations in advancing research networks such as the ALRI, Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz, Executive Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cited several examples of scientific networks and consortia in the Philippines and how progress is made through these networks.

The status of liver diseases across Southeast Asia was discussed by Dr. Janus Ong from the Philippines, Dr. Caecilia Sukowati from Indonesia, Dr. Nguyen Thi Cam Huong from Vietnam, and Dr. Palittiya Sintusek from Thailand. Their talks also highlighted existing research efforts to address gaps and issues relating to liver disease in their respective countries.

In relation to funding challenges,  Dr. Vanny Narita, Senior Officer of the Science and Technology Division of the ASEAN Headquarters, shared the various funding programs of the ASEAN that researchers may take advantage of to pursue liver research. 

“Looking ahead, I would like to invite you to continue engaging with the broader liver research community,” said DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime Montoya. “I believe that there are opportunities to share ideas, partner on new projects, and attend future conferences or fora where the momentum from this gathering can be sustained,” he added. 

Moving forward, the ALRI is set to start research initiatives guided by the priorities identified and intensify promotional efforts to gain support for the activities of the Initiative. 

The ALRI was initiated during the 53rd Meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Biotechnology, the ASEAN Network for Drugs, Diagnostics, Vaccines and Traditional Medicine Innovation (ASEAN-NDI) on 16 October 2023. It was envisioned as a collaborative effort aimed at advancing liver research by facilitating the pooling of resources, expertise, and knowledge on liver research in the region.