Yogyakarta, 20 May 2025 – Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK) UGM yesterday witnessed the success of the Future Deeptech Forum (FDF) 2025, a national and regional platform initiated by Future Lestari from Pijar Foundation and S&S Lab. The forum aims to bridge the gap between academic research, industry, and regulation, especially in Indonesia’s biotechnology potential that is still not fully exploited. FDF 2025 successfully brought together key stakeholders in the biotechnology ecosystem, ranging from startups, researchers, industry professionals, to students.
Documentation: Septa
One of the major highlights of FDF 2025 was Session 2 entitled ‘The Journey of Novel Foods – From Innovation to Your Plate’. This session explored how advances in biotechnology are shaping the future of food through the development of healthier, safer and more sustainable food products. In-depth discussions also highlighted the role of academic research, traditional food knowledge and biotechnology methods in developing culturally relevant and future-ready novel ingredients, with experiences from Indonesia and Korea.
Dominic Jeong, Co-Founder & CEO of Simple Planet and S&S Lab, explained how new food innovations in Asia are driven by a biotechnology ecosystem structured for research and rapid deployment. He emphasised the importance of integrated coordination across R&D, product design, regulatory and early-stage investments to bring biotech-based functional ingredients and food products to market. Dominic also highlighted the cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking that FDF strengthens to foster innovation and talent empowerment in the biotechnology ecosystem across ASEAN and Korea.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Raharjo, M.Sc., Head of PSPG UGM, explained the contribution of academic research in food science to the development of new food innovations that are safe, functional, and rooted in local relevance. With a strong background in food microbiology and functional nutrition, Prof Sri Raharjo reflected on Indonesia’s growing research capacity in food innovation, from understanding microbial ecosystems to improving food quality and safety. He also emphasised the importance of building public awareness, strengthening institutional support, and connecting scientific work with real-world food system needs.
The agenda of FDF 2025 yesterday started at 09.00 WIB with registration, followed by opening remarks from the Interim-Director of Pijar Foundation and Director of Business Development UGM. Session 1 entitled ‘Biotechnology – The Future is Now’ presented representatives from Indonesia Leading Pharmaceutical Company and Alvin Ng, Director – S&S Lab Asia Pacific, moderated by Leorede Thenu. Session 2 on ‘The Journey of Novel Foods’ was attended by Professor of Faculty of Agricultural Technology UGM and Dr Dominic Jeong.
