IVCC is pleased to announce the establishment of a partnership agreement with V.K.A Polymers to assess whether two existing insecticides can be repurposed and optimised for use on insecticide-treated nets (ITNs); meeting the required efficacy, safety, quality and economic thresholds. The two chemistries, which have already shown some promise during early laboratory and semi-field testing, could ultimately become new modes of action to support country malaria elimination programmes.

The continued effectiveness of ITNs is under threat due to the spread of resistance in vector populations across sub-Saharan Africa to the insecticides currently used on ITNs. There is therefore an urgent need for new modes of action to be developed and introduced onto ITNs. Protecting these new tools against the threat of resistance is crucial to ensure that national malaria control programmes have access to a variety of effective vector control options to advance their malaria elimination targets.

Justin Mc Beath, CEO of IVCC said: “IVCC has a long and successful history of working with industry partners to repurpose chemistries for vector control tools, including ITNs or indoor residual spraying (IRS). Recent advances in the development of dual-active ingredient nets using repurposed chemistries have, for example, demonstrated that ITN effectiveness can be increased by up to 50%. However, for ITN effectiveness to be maintained over the long term, a range of alternative and additional modes of action need to become available so that the challenge of insecticide resistance can be better managed, and the longevity of these products maximised.

“We are delighted to sign this agreement with V.K.A Polymers to enable us to move forward in the further evaluation of these chemistries. Together with the IVCC novel active ingredient discovery programme, this repurposed chemistry project should help advance the delivery of a suite of vector control innovations which, together with innovations in drugs and vaccines, could help us one day eradicate malaria for good.”

Satish Kumar of VKA Polymers said: “The entire VKA family is excited and honoured at being selected to partner IVCC for this important project. We are fully committed to bringing all our resources, experiences, innovations and capacity into this joint effort to build a platform for next generation ITNs with IVCC.”

For further information, please contact:

IVCC: Chris Larkin, Director of Communications and Operations
Christopher.larkin@ivcc.com or 07712 402498

V.K.A Polymers: Satish Kumar, Head of Emerging Business.
satish@vkapolymers.com

About IVCC
IVCC is the only Product Development Partnership (PDP) focused on solutions for vector control. IVCC was established in 2005, through an initial grant to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As a registered charity in the UK, IVCC receives grant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Aid, USAID, The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to partner with different stakeholders across industry, scientific institutions and endemic countries to facilitate the development and availability of novel and improved public health insecticides and formulations which can combat the rapidly growing problem of insecticide resistance. In addition, IVCC has received funding from Unitaid and the Global Fund to implement catalytic market access projects, such as NgenIRS and the New Nets Project which support the rapid and scaled deployment of vector control tools. IVCC has three core values of partnership, innovation and respect, and strives to live these values in our dealings with all partners.

About V.K.A Polymers
V.K.A. Polymers Private Limited specializes in manufacturing HDPE monofilament mosquito nets for more than 40 years (started as Anand Plastics in 1975). Backed by their vast experience and research & development in the field V.K.A. started manufacturing long lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) from 2009. MAGNet® and VEERALIN® are V.K.A.’s registered trademark of high performance LLINs. V.K.A. Polymers are certified with ISO 9001:2015, IS0 14001:2015 and ISO 45001: 2018

Our vision is to introduce innovation in our production processes and develop the most affordable products to help in preventing the spread of vectoral diseases. A team of dedicated, experienced, well-qualified staff supports our research and commercial activities, where our products’ prime importance is controlling malaria. Ever since the establishment of the company our LLIN products have been playing an important role in the reduction and control of malaria throughout the world. VKA works closely with major NGO’s, and various Ministries of Health worldwide.

On June 19, 2024, members of the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) team were warmly welcomed by the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) at its Bagamoyo branch office in Kingani. The visit included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque celebrating the ‘Accelerate to Eliminate Malaria Program’, a five-year collaborative agreement funded by USAID, at the Bagamoyo facility.

The Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), a critical research facility within IHI, is internationally recognized for its high-quality evaluations of new vector control products. The site plays a vital role in vector control product testing for industry and regulatory bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification, as well as extensive collaborations with academia.

During the visit, Dr. Ally Olotu, Director of Science at Ifakara, along with Jason Moore, Test Facility Manager, and the VCPTU team, warmly received the IVCC delegation. The event marked both advancements in infrastructure and the collaborative spirit that propels progress in vector control research. It included presentations by the IHI VCPTU team on projects supported by IVCC, alongside discussions on safeguarding standards, equity, diversity, and gender policies.

IVCC’s collaboration with IHI and VCPTU is long-standing, both on infrastructure and capacity building initiatives, in addition to research collaborations. IVCC has previously supported IHI towards GLP certification with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. By assisting institutions like IHI secure Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification, IVCC ensures that local research facilities can meet international standards, thereby enhancing their ability to conduct critical research and testing. This support not only advances scientific capabilities but also empowers local communities to take a leading role in combating vector-borne diseases.

During the visit, Dr. Small expressed optimism about future collaborations, stating, “Driven by values of partnership, innovation, and respect, IVCC is committed to building lasting partnerships that deliver life-saving solutions. Our partnership with IHI demonstrates the significant impact we can achieve together.”

Dr. Olotu also acknowledged IVCC’s invaluable support, emphasizing the importance of the funding for IHI’s ongoing product testing activities at the Vector Control Product Testing Unit. This collaboration continues to drive forward our shared mission to eliminate malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

This visit to IHI  by the IVCC delegation was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this story are the responsibility of IVCC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

IVCC participated in the 2024 Global Health Security Conference in Sydney, from the 18^th to the 21^st of June.

The event brought together leaders, researchers, policy makers and representatives from private industry, international organisations and civil society. Discussions focused on strengthening health systems and explored ways to improve global responses to the most pressing health challenges.

IVCC was represented by Justin McBeath, CEO and Chris Larkin, Director of Operations & Communications. Together, they participated in a range of sessions, including a side event facilitated by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which brought together a range of Product Development Partnerships (e.g. IVCC, MMV, TB Alliance) to discuss areas of common challenge and opportunity with a particular focus on advancing Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GEDSI). In addition, Justin McBeath was part of a panel for a session, hosted by GARDP (The Global Antibiotics Research and Development Partnership), on ‘Improving Access to Critical Health Products’.

IVCC was also an exhibitor at the conference, giving the opportunity for delegates to learn more about the scope our projects and initiatives.

Find out more about the third Global Health Security Conference online.

Growing insecticide resistance is closely intertwined with lack of investment in research and development of novel public health insecticides.

In a two part series, published in International Pest Control,  IVCC CEO Justin McBeath, IVCC Technical Director Derric Nimmo, and IVCC (former) consultants Alan Ayers and Jeffrey Moe (Duke Global Health Institute), explore how a new US incentive programme (VERV) aims to mitigate the problem.

The first article focuses on, while the second piece poses questions to the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA), who coordinate the VERV programme, on the detail of the guidance for registrants.

Both articles are available to download via this post. We give thanks to IPC and its editor, Chris Endecot, for granting access for our readers.

IVCC participated at the 19th Annual Meeting of the Roll Back Malaria Vector Control Working Group in Kigali; which took place between 15^th and 17^th April 20204.  IVCC was an exhibitor at the conference, giving the opportunity for delegates to learn more about the scope our projects and initiatives.

IVCC CEO, Justin McBeath, unveiled IVCC’s strategy during the meeting. He also handed over the VCWG co-chair role at the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, which he’s held for two terms. We congratulate Dr El Hadji Amadou Niang on the new role.

Meanwhile, our team shared insights on ITN campaigns, private sector engagement, expanding the Vector Control Toolbox, humanitarian emergencies, and more.

You can now access the meeting presentations, photo gallery, e-poster, list of participants and more on the VCWG website, here.

We highlight presentations by:

• IVCC Senior Technical Manager, Janneke Snetselaar on Meta-analysis on the entomological effects of differentially treated ITNs in a multi-site experimental hut study in sub-Saharan Africa.
• IVCC Africa Coordinator, Andre Saibu, hosted a Panel discussion: New funding streams and local implementation capacity for IRS through Public-Private Partnership
• IVCC Consultant, Mike McDonald, also gave a presentation on Expanding the Vector Control Toolbox for Emergency Settings