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.

IVCC is pleased to confirm that it is the recipient of a new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  This new grant of $85 million over 5 years is the largest ever investment in IVCC by the foundation.  With this key funding milestone, alongside support from other funding partners, IVCC will be able to sustain and create new partnerships to continue to deliver an ambitious pipeline of innovative vector control products in line with its renewed strategy.

Through the continuous support of its funding partners, like the foundation, and in partnerships with industry, IVCC has supported the delivery of a suite of innovative vector control tools, including next generation indoor residual sprays and dual-active ingredient bed nets which have proven to be the cornerstone of malaria eradication efforts since the turn of the century.

For the effectiveness of these tools to be maintained over the long term, 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.  This funding will also support IVCC’s strategy to further expand the vector control toolbox; identifying, developing and bringing to market alternative tools to address other technical gaps in mosquito borne disease transmission.

Protecting these new tools against the threat of resistance and expanding the vector control toolbox will provide national malaria control programmes with a choice of effective vector control options to further advance the elimination of malaria in their respective countries.

Justin McBeath, CEO of IVCC said: “I would like to thank the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the trust placed in IVCC to deliver on our strategic goals and in recognising our new strategic focus. It reflects a shared vision of the critical need for innovation in vector control to address the spread of insecticide resistance and an expanded toolbox of interventions.  With this support, we are optimistic that urgently needed new modes of action can be developed and delivered to improve and save the lives of those affected by malaria.”

For further information, please contact:

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

We’re very excited to announce that the Insecticide Testing Facility at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Direction Régionale de l’Ouest (IRSS/DRO) in Burkina Faso has become the seventh IVCC partner in Africa to achieve Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification. This milestone, certified by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), marks a significant achievement for the facility, led by Professor Abdoulaye Diabaté.

As a long-standing research partner of IVCC, the IRSS/DRO facility has played a crucial role in evaluating novel and repurposed insecticides and new malaria vector control products. Their work, particularly against highly insecticide-resistant mosquito populations in the Vallée du Kou, has been instrumental in generating essential efficacy data for manufacturers, including submissions to the WHO Prequalification Unit Vector Control Product Assessment Team (PQT/VCP). Since 2016, IVCC has supported the IRSS/DRO facility in its journey to full GLP compliance. This support included funding essential infrastructure improvements, purchasing necessary equipment, and providing targeted training for key staff. These efforts have developed strong GLP awareness and ensured the facility’s compliance with OECD principles. After 8 years of hard work, IVCC is happy to join with the Insecticide Testing Facility of IRSS/DRO in celebrating their success.

Professor Abdoulaye Diabaté commented: “This tremendous achievement by the team will be key for the visibility of the IRSS/DRO Insecticide Testing Facility both within Burkina Faso and internationally. The GLP certification of the facility will help to increase the confidence that companies, malaria control programmes and other organisations have in our research. We anticipate an increase in demand for the IRSS/DRO Insecticide Testing Facility to carry out laboratory and field trials as part of the fight against malaria and neglected tropical diseases. The institute has built a very strong working relationship with different communities in the field where conditions are ideal for the conduct of experimental hut and community trials. The data we generate are also used to inform and orient the decisions made by the Burkina Faso Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene towards malaria elimination”.