IVCC signs agreement with V.K.A. Polymers to explore use of repurposed chemistries on insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) for malaria
IVCC is pleased to announce the establishment of a partnership agreement with V.K.A Polymers to assess whether two existing insecticides can be repurposed and optimised for use on insecticide-treated nets (ITNs); meeting the required efficacy, safety, quality and economic thresholds. The two chemistries, which have already shown some promise during early laboratory and semi-field testing, could ultimately become new modes of action to support country malaria elimination programmes.
The continued effectiveness of ITNs is under threat due to the spread of resistance in vector populations across sub-Saharan Africa to the insecticides currently used on ITNs. There is therefore an urgent need for new modes of action to be developed and introduced onto ITNs. Protecting these new tools against the threat of resistance is crucial to ensure that national malaria control programmes have access to a variety of effective vector control options to advance their malaria elimination targets.
Justin Mc Beath, CEO of IVCC said: “IVCC has a long and successful history of working with industry partners to repurpose chemistries for vector control tools, including ITNs or indoor residual spraying (IRS). Recent advances in the development of dual-active ingredient nets using repurposed chemistries have, for example, demonstrated that ITN effectiveness can be increased by up to 50%. However, for ITN effectiveness to be maintained over the long term, a range of alternative and 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.
“We are delighted to sign this agreement with V.K.A Polymers to enable us to move forward in the further evaluation of these chemistries. Together with the IVCC novel active ingredient discovery programme, this repurposed chemistry project should help advance the delivery of a suite of vector control innovations which, together with innovations in drugs and vaccines, could help us one day eradicate malaria for good.”
Satish Kumar of VKA Polymers said: “The entire VKA family is excited and honoured at being selected to partner IVCC for this important project. We are fully committed to bringing all our resources, experiences, innovations and capacity into this joint effort to build a platform for next generation ITNs with IVCC.”
For further information, please contact:
IVCC: Chris Larkin, Director of Communications and Operations
Christopher.larkin@ivcc.com or 07712 402498
V.K.A Polymers: Satish Kumar, Head of Emerging Business.
satish@vkapolymers.com
About IVCC
IVCC is the only Product Development Partnership (PDP) focused on solutions for vector control. IVCC was established in 2005, through an initial grant to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As a registered charity in the UK, IVCC receives grant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Aid, USAID, The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to partner with different stakeholders across industry, scientific institutions and endemic countries to facilitate the development and availability of novel and improved public health insecticides and formulations which can combat the rapidly growing problem of insecticide resistance. In addition, IVCC has received funding from Unitaid and the Global Fund to implement catalytic market access projects, such as NgenIRS and the New Nets Project which support the rapid and scaled deployment of vector control tools. IVCC has three core values of partnership, innovation and respect, and strives to live these values in our dealings with all partners.
About V.K.A Polymers
V.K.A. Polymers Private Limited specializes in manufacturing HDPE monofilament mosquito nets for more than 40 years (started as Anand Plastics in 1975). Backed by their vast experience and research & development in the field V.K.A. started manufacturing long lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) from 2009. MAGNet® and VEERALIN® are V.K.A.’s registered trademark of high performance LLINs. V.K.A. Polymers are certified with ISO 9001:2015, IS0 14001:2015 and ISO 45001: 2018
Our vision is to introduce innovation in our production processes and develop the most affordable products to help in preventing the spread of vectoral diseases. A team of dedicated, experienced, well-qualified staff supports our research and commercial activities, where our products’ prime importance is controlling malaria. Ever since the establishment of the company our LLIN products have been playing an important role in the reduction and control of malaria throughout the world. VKA works closely with major NGO’s, and various Ministries of Health worldwide.
