At a series of events in late September and early October, Malaria No More UK brought together leading scientists, innovators and policymakers to celebrate the work and role of science and innovation in the global fight against malaria.

First, IVCC attended a networking reception at this year’s Conservative Party Conference (Manchester, 1st to 4th October 2023). During the event, IVCC engaged in conversations with Andrew Mitchell (MP), Minister of State for Development and Africa, and Astrid Bonfield, CEO of Malaria No More UK. IVCC emphasized the critical importance of vector control innovation and product development partnerships. These collaborations are essential in addressing the emerging threat of insecticide resistance, which is reducing the efficacy of established tools.

The following week, IVCC CEO Justin MacBeath participated in roundtable event discussion the future of global health. Against the backdrop of the Labour Party Conference (Liverpool, 8^th to 11^th October) Malaria No More UK convened Labour MPs, Labour candidates, academics, scientists, and industry representatives. Justin highlighted the crucial role of Product Development Partnerships in creating new vector control tools and ensuring fair access for vulnerable populations.

It was followed by Global Health Networking Reception, hosted by STOPAIDS and Malaria No More UK. Virendra Sharma (MP) opened the event, alongside Astrid Bonfield who showcased the Finish the Job campaign: urging decision makers to commit to ending malaria in our lifetimes. Anyika Onoura, Team BG World & Olympic medallist, shared her experience of falling ill with malaria ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics and emphasized the need for ongoing investment to end malaria.

IVCC CEO, Justin MacBeath at the Malaria No More UK Labour Party Conference breakfast roundtable. Image credit: Malaria No More UK.

From left to right: Catherine West (MP), Anyika Onoura and Virendra Sharma (MP) at the Global Health Networking Reception. Image credit: Malaria No More UK.

Between November 20^th and 24^th 2023, IVCC supported a statistical workshop for our collaborating African research institutes, to enhance statistical knowledge relating to vector control product trials. The workshop was hosted at the Ifakara Health Institute in Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

The aim of the workshop was to transfer best practice on the design of good laboratory practice (GLP studies) and the analysis of data generated in these studies. Specific focus was on meeting the reporting requirements of the WHO Prequalification Unit, Vector Control Product Assessment Team (WHO PQT/VCP) and following the latest guidelines on vector control product evaluations from WHO.

Participants were introduced to the development of a data management and statistical analysis plan, the use of statistics in experimental design and data analysis required by WHO for evaluations of insecticide-treated net (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) products. Participants also took part in practical training on the conduct of tests, analysis and reporting of the data generated.

Other topics covered included: data management for meta-analysis, descriptive statistics, regression analysis, non-inferiority, and equivalence studies, calculating sample sizes, and crafting high-quality study reports.

The workshop facilitators included John Bradley (LSHTM), Geraldine Foster (WHO Prequalification Team), Ummi Kibondo (IHI), Frank Mechan (LSTM and I2I), Sarah Moore (IHI), Olukayode Odufuwa (IHI) and Graham Small (IVCC).

Participants were wide-ranging: CISM (Mozambique); CREC/LSHTM (Benin); CRID (Cameroon); CSRS and IPR VCPEC (Côte d’Ivoire); IRSS (Burkina Faso); KCMUCo-PAMVERC, IHI, NIMR Amani Research Centre and NIMR Mwanza (Tanzania); and Malaria Alert Centre (Malawi).
The workshop was further supported by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in enabling access to the funding for this workshop. We especially thank Terri O’Halloran (LSHTM), Rose Philipo (IHI) and Jameel Bharmal (IVCC) for all their support in making this workshop a success.

Image credit: Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), Tanzania.

Authors: Graham Small and Janneke Snetselaar

Progress against malaria continues to stall, according to the 2023 World Malaria Report, published today by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite the efforts of malaria-endemic countries and their partners, the world is worse off now than before the COVID pandemic both in terms of number of malaria cases and deaths.

The combination of limited resources, challenges such as drug and insecticide resistance, socioeconomic constraints, humanitarian crises, and climate-driven extreme weather events creates a challenging landscape for malaria elimination. If current trajectories continue, the goal of reducing malaria cases to 6.0 cases per 1000 population by 2030 will be missed by 89%.

The WHO report emphasises the importance of developing more efficacious tools to accelerate progress toward the global malaria targets. Interrupting the transmission cycle to reduce the spread of malaria is key to that aim.

At IVCC, in partnership with our stakeholders, we are committed to delivering a sustainable toolbox of vector control solutions that address the evolving challenges in vector control and malaria elimination.

Insecticide-treated nets continue to be the primary vector control tool used in most endemic countries. Over 254 million nets were distributed in 2022, up by 34 million compared to 2021.

A longstanding collaboration between BASF and IVCC to deliver a next generation active ingredient treated net formulation has been an important step in the fight against insecticide resistant mosquitoes.

Interceptor® G2, combines a pyrethroid (alphacypermethrin) with a new-to-public-health active ingredient, a pyrrole (chlorfenapyr), which represents a novel mode of action in vector control. In March 2023, the WHO strongly recommended the deployment of such nets in areas where mosquitoes have become resistant to pyrethroids.

This milestone is testament to the importance of product development partnerships to deliver high-impact, cost-effective prevention tools, adapted to the needs of endemic countries.

Despite the success of interventions such as the Interceptor® G2, global investment in overall malaria research and product development dropped by US$ 603 million in 2022 – its lowest recorded level in the past 15 years, and down by over 10% compared with 2021.

Climate change is also having a dramatic impact on malaria transmission and burden. The effects are seen in the gradual extension of the transmission range and seasonality of malaria, and an increase in the number of extreme weather events.

IVCC recognises the need for innovative tools to reach the most vulnerable populations especially in settings where ITNs and traditional indoor residual spraying (IRS) for fixed structures might not be practical.

We are working with partners to accelerate the availability of solutions that address these challenges, such as new tools which address outdoor biting or outdoor transmission.

The funding gap between the amount invested in malaria control and elimination continues to widen. With a shortfall of UD$ 3.7 billion in 2022, funding availability to support innovation, roll out of existing tools and the cost of procurement and delivery is increasingly uncertain.

This scenario, coupled with a global economy seeing ever-increasing costs for raw materials and logistics, means IVCC remains committed to exploring innovative strategies to expand the availability of cost-effective life-saving vector control tools. IVCC recognises the need for greater emphasis and recognition of country input into this ambition and makes sure that the considerations of malaria programmes are incorporated in all aspects of product development and distribution.

IVCC believes that it is only through partnerships, which take into account local needs, that vector control implementation can be expanded beyond the scope of donor-supported programmes and lead to the establishment of sustainable capacity.

The World Malaria Report, published annually, provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of trends in malaria control and elimination across the globe. This year’s report includes, for the first time, a dedicated chapter focused on the intersection between climate change and malaria.

Find out more in this year’s World Malaria Report.

Given the breadth of vector control-related literature, we are unable to include all relevant work. These updates are intended to focus primarily on Anopheles biology and a subset of control topics with global relevance. Any views expressed in the updates do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of IVCC. In many cases, we directly quote sections of published work. Mention of trade names or commercial products is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by IVCC or its funders.

IVCC’s External Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) welcomes two new experts, Dr Anne Wilson and Dr Ulrike Fillinger. They join following a ‘call for experts’ in experts in entomology and in epidemiology.

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 Anne Wilson has an MSc in Public Health and a PhD in epidemiology from Durham University. Anne uses epidemiological study designs such as cohort studies, case control studies, and cluster-randomised controlled trials to understand the risk of vector-borne diseases and develop novel vector control methods. In particular, she is interested in the impact of anthropogenic changes such as urbanisation and agricultural intensification on vector-borne disease transmission, and the development of targeted, multi-sectoral control approaches.

Dr Ulrike Fillinger brings 25 years experience managing projects related to the control and elimination of arthropod-borne diseases, collaborating closely with national disease control programs and other government and civil society stakeholders in endemic countries. Ulrike holds a PhD in Ecology from the University of Heidelberg and did my post doctorate training in East Africa successively for Durham University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

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