IVCC will participate at the International Conference on Vector-Borne Diseases (ICVB2025) jointly hosted by the Society for Vector Ecology (SOVE) Indian Region and the Academy of Public Health Entomology (APHE), India. The conference takes place at the Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences in Chennai (SIMATS), India from the 21st to 24th January 2025.

IVCC CEO, Justin McBeath, will be giving a keynote address on the topic of ‘Perspectives on insecticide innovation for malaria vector control’. It takes place on Tuesday 21st January at 15:30*.

During the same session, Dr Vasantha Paul John, IVCC’s Registration Consultant, will give an invited talk on ‘Regulatory agility – The need for quick access of vector control tools’.

Other members of the IVCC team will also be in attendance and look forward to contributing insights and progress on expanding the vector control toolbox and the importance of combining tools to achieve malaria elimination.

Please visit the ICVB2025 event website for more information and the full programme.

*Times given in Indian Standard Time.

During last week’s Labour Party Conference, IVCC’s CEO Justin McBeath attended a breakfast roundtable hosted by Malaria No More UK.

The roundtable offered the opportunity to present key voices from a range of speakers, many with a strong background in malaria science to discuss how the UK can play its part more effectively in the global fight and why it is important that it does so.

The UK has been at the forefront of the fight against global diseases for centuries. As an important international donor, the UK has led efforts to reduce the burden of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and across the globe.

The roundtable supported the recent publication of a practical, evidence-based guide for how the newly established UK government can reinvigorate its fight against malaria. The pamphlet, titled: ‘The Government’s First Steps to Ending Malaria’, draws insight from global malaria experts, including Justin McBeath who called for ministers to experience the innovation taking place across the country firsthand. He also highlighted how it is incumbent on the scientific community to equip policymakers with the information they need to make evidence-based decisions.

UK-led research and innovation, backed by direct funding from the UK Government or financed via multilateral institutions, has played an important role supporting in Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) like IVCC; and in the development of new vector control tools such as dual active ingredient nets (ITNs) which averted an estimated 13 million malaria cases and approximately 24,600 deaths in 21 countries between 2018 and 2023.

Continued support for innovation in therapeutics, vaccines, vector control and diagnostics means that a malaria-free future is possible.

By bolstering international health initiatives such as the New Nets Project and Product Development Partnerships more broadly, the UK cultivates a more secure, resilient, and prosperous global landscape. Investment in overseas aid for global health fosters international cooperation and economic stability. It strengthens diplomatic ties and reinforces the UK’s position as a global leader that is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Jessica Tole MP and Catherine West MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) with Victoria Fowler, Head of UK Advocacy at Malaria No More UK.

Image credit: Hugo Bainbridge/Malaria No More UK

From September 19th to 23rd, IVCC attended the International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria (ICTMM) 2024 in Kuching, Malaysia. This congress, hosted by the International Federation for Tropical Medicine, highlighted global efforts and interdisciplinary research aimed at eliminating tropical diseases.

IVCC’s attendance was driven by its Indo-Pacific Initiative (funded by the Australian Government’s Dept for Foreign Affairs and Trade), particularly the NATNAT project, which seeks to tackle the growing challenge of malaria in Papua New Guinea (PNG). As malaria rises, insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) alone are insufficient to achieve elimination, making the evaluation and adoption of novel vector control tools (VCTs) essential.

NATNAT — which began in 2019 and was recently extended until 2027 — aims to strengthen PNG’s capacity to evaluate new VCTs, including building laboratory and field capabilities, conducting field evaluations, and investigating community acceptance of these tools. The project, which is led by Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR), Burnet Institute and James Cook University, has also supported the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) in establishing a national network for assessing and adopting new interventions, which is critical for bolstering malaria control in PNG.

At ICTMM, IVCC partners presented the results of a study on the efficacy of a metofluthrin spatial emanator (SumiOne™) in coastal villages of PNG. The talk, delivered by Michelle Katusele from the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR), showcased the promising impact of this novel VCT on malaria transmission.

By participating in ICTMM 2024, IVCC deepened its understanding of tropical disease challenges and strengthened partnerships, advancing efforts to bring new vector control solutions to the Indo-Pacific region.

The International Conference on Tropical Medicine and Malaria offered an opportunity for the IVCC IndoPacific Initiative team to meet with regional colleagues, learn the latest news and discuss IVCC’s potential future work in the region. Pictured here, with Dr. Macdonald are some of the colleagues, who for decades, have been leading entomology and vector control in the region. (Left to right): Prof. Indra Vythilingam, U. Malaya; Jeffrey Hii (Australia); Chang Moh Seng, U. Malaysia/Sarawak retired WHO/Cambodia; Leonard Ortega, former SEARO Regional Advisor Malaria; former Myanmar WHO; Cecil Hugo, founder Asian Collaborative Training Network Malaria (ACTMalaria); Dr. Michael Macdonald, IVCC consultant; Prof. Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap, Kasetsart University, Thailand; Theeraphap’s faculty colleague and two of Cecil’s colleagues.

From September 11th to 13th, IVCC attended the 63rd Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (Dornbirn-GFC 2024) in Dornbirn, Austria. While not a regular event in our calendar, this conference was of strategic significance due to its focus on cutting-edge innovations in the fiber and textile industries. The event has established itself over six decades as a key meeting point for industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to share knowledge and shape the future of fibers and textiles.

Dornbirn-GFC 2024 gathered more than 125 international speakers to present the latest developments in the field. This year’s program highlighted advances in fiber technologies that could reshape the industry, making it an important occasion for IVCC to explore potential solutions to a critical challenge—reducing the cost of goods associated with the development of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs).

IVCC’s attendance was driven by the need to assess novel fiber designs and material innovations that could enhance ITN development. With rising costs of production, it is crucial to explore alternatives that might lead to more affordable, viable solutions for vector control products. IVCC’s ITN pillar team saw this as an opportunity to engage with fiber industry experts, learn about new technologies, and explore whether any of these could be applied to overcome formulation and cost challenges in our mission to develop innovative ITN products.

By attending the Dornbirn-GFC, IVCC strengthened its understanding of the evolving fiber landscape and gained insights that could support future product development. The opportunity to network with industry professionals and exchange ideas aligns with our long-term goal of ensuring that lifesaving ITNs remain accessible and affordable.

These insights will be invaluable in shaping our strategies and exploring new directions for ITN design that balance innovation with cost efficiency.

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.