Our Africa Regional Coordinator, Andrew Saibu, contributed an editorial in the latest edition of the South African Pest Control Association’s (SAPCA), Pest News.

In the piece, Andrew makes the case for the role of the private sector, and mining companies in particular, in supporting malaria control throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

The Pest News February 2024* instalment is available via this download. Andrew’s editorial is available from page nine onward: Mines against malaria.

*with thanks to SAPCA.

A recently published essay collection curated by Malaria No More UK and the ONE Campaign, makes the case for the next UK government to continue its support for the life-saving work of multilateral global health mechanisms like Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance and The Global Fund to fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Unitaid.

The collection features essays from a diverse range of British and international voices, including a piece by IVCC CEO, Justin McBeath where he highlights the critical role of Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) – such as IVCC – in bringing forward life-changing innovations for the elimination of diseases such as malaria. In the essay he writes:

PDPs serve as catalysts for innovation and progress. They bridge the gap between scientific discovery and tangible solutions, driving research and development efforts that address […] health threats.   To eradicate malaria for good, PDPs like IVCC deserve support, so they can continue to deliver the innovative tools that can finally put malaria into retreat.

To read Justin’s full essay and all the contributions by Gavi and The Global Fund; Labour MPs and parliamentary candidates; scientists and researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Medicines for Malaria Venture; and youth activists and community health workers from endemic countries, visit the Malaria No More UK website to download the report.

The Vector Expedited Review Voucher Program offers registrants of vector control tools a financial incentive, a voucher, in reward for registration of novel public health insecticides that can combat vectors of malaria and other diseases.

In a major step forward for vector-borne disease control, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the establishment of the regulation for a Vector Expedited Review Voucher (VERV) Program. The notice, issued on Thursday 18^th of December 2023, includes the eligibility criteria and processes regarding how to apply and qualify for a voucher under the VERV Program.

The VERV rewards the registrant of a new public health insecticide with a voucher to receive an expedited registration review of a second, potentially more profitable product. Getting the second product to market faster generates value for the manufacturer which helps mitigate the investment costs typical in public health insecticide development. A registrant can also sell the awarded voucher.

Justin McBeath, CEO of IVCC and advocate for establishment of the VERV program said: “The Vector Expedited Review Voucher is a significant step forward. Keeping industry engaged in the discovery and development of new technologies to combat vectors of malaria and neglected tropical diseases is essential. IVCC welcomes the publication of VERV eligibility criteria, which brings clear guidance for industry partners and stakeholders wanting to benefit from this incentive. The Program, as explained with the newly issued EPA guidance, will provide an additional financial incentive for public health insecticide development, and help to sustain product innovation into the future.”

The establishment of the program has been championed by IVCC following a policy proposal by Duke University. It was signed into US Law in December 2022. IVCC and Duke University began work on VERV in 2015.

VERV is modelled on the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Priority Review Voucher program legislated in 2007 (Sec. 524 FDA Amendments Act), which offers a priority review of a second pharmaceutical product as a reward for new treatments targeting selected diseases.

Jeffrey Moe, Adjunct Faculty of the Duke Global Health Institute, a co-author along with other Duke faculty proposing the PRV programme and the new VERV added: “PRV has had a positive impact on the development of treatments with limited profitability for neglected tropical diseases. The VERV programme can, like PRV, stimulate the development of innovative vector control solutions to help us better control, and hopefully eradicate, diseases such as malaria.”

IVCC, Duke University and stakeholders will continue to work with the US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as it implements the VERV programme to stimulate investment in new public health insecticides and products for the control of vector-borne diseases.

–ends–

For further information contact:

Chris Larkin, Director of Communications and Operations

Christopher.larkin@ivcc.com

+44 (0)7712 402498

Note to editors:

Further details about the Vector Expedited Review Voucher (VERV) are available at:

www.ivcc.com/vector-control/vector-expedited-review-voucher-verv/

www.vectorvoucher.info

Our Africa Regional Coordinator, Andrew Saibu, contributed an editorial in the latest edition of the South African Pest Control Association’s (SAPCA), Pest News.

In the piece, Andrew makes the case for the role of the private sector, and mining companies in particular, in supporting malaria control throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

The Pest News February 2024* instalment is available via this download. Andrew’s editorial is available from page nine onward: Mines against malaria.

*with thanks to SAPCA.

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.