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.

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/

Under the conference theme, ‘Working in Partnership to Deliver Vector Control Solutions’, IVCC hosted its first stakeholder conference in four years. It took place in IVCC’s hometown of Liverpool on 3^rd and 4^th October.  IVCC welcomed 130 guests from across our stakeholders and partners to the day and a half long conference at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall.

IVCC was delighted to host Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Principal Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Chair of the PAMCA Women in Vector Control Programme, as the keynote speaker. During her presentation Damaris outlined some of the key challenges facing malaria elimination and eradication as we approach 2030: insecticide resistance, climate change, increased outdoor biting and the rise of invasive species. Damaris called for continued innovation of vector control tools, as current interventions alone won’t deliver on the WHO’s target for reducing global malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90%. At the same time, Damaris highlighted the importance of developing tools with endemic communities in mind. Too often, the usability of interventions isn’t sufficiently considered, meaning communities find the tools too hard to use, take care of and not fit for their living conditions. In her closing remarks, Damaris emphasised that malaria elimination targets will not be met unless there is leadership that represents pluralism within society. In addition, she encouraged the malaria community to consider an approach of multidisciplinary and capacity sharing – which more overtly recognizes the contribution of all collaborators learning from one another – when tackling the challenges that lie ahead. (A recording of Damaris’ presentation can be found here).

IVCC’s programme for the day was filled with a series of panel discussions and presentations from a range of distinguished guests drawn from all corners of the malaria community, including funders, industry, academia and regulators.  As well as valuable networking time, attendees were also able to view an extensive scientific poster programme.

On day one of the conference, attendees were also invited to a very special conference dinner at St George’s iconic Great Hall. The Hall provided a stunning, historic backdrop to an evening of networking over dinner whilst guests were treated to an organ performance by City and Cathedral Organist, Ian Tracey.

The second day of the event also included a panel discussion and two session, one focused on equity, diversity and inclusion in vector control product development.  A series of inspiring and thought-provoking sessions ensured that key challenges were discussed and debated, while key achievements were also appropriately recognised.  IVCC would like to thank all participants for making our Stakeholder conference a highly engaging and successful event.