IVCC’s External Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) welcomes Corine Ngufor, an expert in entomology. Dr Ngufor will also provide specific expertise on capacity strengthening.

The ESAC provides expert specialist technical assessments of IVCC’s portfolio of products, including project selection, transition, and termination. They provide advice to the IVCC management team during periodic reviews of the projects. Membership of the ESAC is through nomination of candidates with the required expertise.

Dr Ngufor is an Associate Professor of medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She is also the Lead Scientist of a Good Laboratory Practice compliant collaborative research programme at the Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministry of Health, Benin, focused on the development of novel vector control products.

Dr Ngofur has led several research grants funded by the IVCC, WHO, USAID, Gates Foundation, Global Fund, UNITAID and various chemical companies that have contributed to the development of a new generation of vector control products for controlling insecticide-resistant malaria vectors and the identification of suitable methods for evaluating their efficacy. She is co-chair of the Vector Control Working Group of the RBM partnership to end malaria and a member of the Vector Control Advisory Group (VCAG) and Malaria Policy Advisory Group (MPAG) of the World Health Organisation. Corine completed her MSc and PhD in medical entomology from LSHTM.

More details on the role and responsibilities of ESAC members, visit ivcc.com/research-development/esacs/

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.

IVCC staff had the opportunity to attend this week’s UNGA and participated in several important meetings with various stakeholders to discuss the role of vector control in efforts to eliminate malaria. David McGuire, Director of Access and Country engagement participated in a Summit of the Future panel discussion: From Concepts to Communities: Innovations in Action along with representatives from ALMA, RBM and Unitaid. The session explored how a group of partners collaborated to develop, launch and scale-up dual-AI ITNs under the New Nets Project and the Net Transition Initiative. Participants shared lessons learned and how they might be applied to accelerate access to other innovative health products.

David also attended a session co-hosted by United to Beat Malaria and RBM, Next Chapter of Progress: Localization, Innovation and Partnerships to End Malaria. A panel that included senior representatives from ALMA, the Gates Foundation (IVCC BoT member, Philip Welkhoff), PMI, SC Johnson and the Global Fund discussed promising innovations in vector control, treatments and vaccines, and acknowledged the importance of increased domestic and multi-sector investment in locally led research and implementation. Panelists talked about their optimism that a tool-box capable of achieving elimination is on the horizon, and the need for the political will and funding to translate innovation into sustained impact.

Christen Fornadel, Senior Technical Coordinator, attended an important meeting hosted by Malaria No More, RBM and MMV, Racing Against Antimalarial Resistance: Driving Global Action to Support National Response Efforts. There is a growing recognition and effort among partners to improve coordination and integrated approaches that simultaneously address resistance to drugs and insecticides, including market shaping efforts to address the increased costs of new products.

IVCC is encouraged that the challenges, opportunities and critical success factors that have been identified within our new strategy are all prominent and recurring topics that are repeatedly raised by participants from countries, funders, civil society, academia and the private sector.

IVCC’s Board of Trustees Chair, Sherwin Charles and Board member, Elizabeth Chizema are also attending UNGA 2024.