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”.

On June 19, 2024, members of the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) team were warmly welcomed by the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) at its Bagamoyo branch office in Kingani. The visit included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque celebrating the ‘Accelerate to Eliminate Malaria Program’, a five-year collaborative agreement funded by USAID, at the Bagamoyo facility.

The Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), a critical research facility within IHI, is internationally recognized for its high-quality evaluations of new vector control products. The site plays a vital role in vector control product testing for industry and regulatory bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification, as well as extensive collaborations with academia.

During the visit, Dr. Ally Olotu, Director of Science at Ifakara, along with Jason Moore, Test Facility Manager, and the VCPTU team, warmly received the IVCC delegation. The event marked both advancements in infrastructure and the collaborative spirit that propels progress in vector control research. It included presentations by the IHI VCPTU team on projects supported by IVCC, alongside discussions on safeguarding standards, equity, diversity, and gender policies.

IVCC’s collaboration with IHI and VCPTU is long-standing, both on infrastructure and capacity building initiatives, in addition to research collaborations. IVCC has previously supported IHI towards GLP certification with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. By assisting institutions like IHI secure Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification, IVCC ensures that local research facilities can meet international standards, thereby enhancing their ability to conduct critical research and testing. This support not only advances scientific capabilities but also empowers local communities to take a leading role in combating vector-borne diseases.

During the visit, Dr. Small expressed optimism about future collaborations, stating, “Driven by values of partnership, innovation, and respect, IVCC is committed to building lasting partnerships that deliver life-saving solutions. Our partnership with IHI demonstrates the significant impact we can achieve together.”

Dr. Olotu also acknowledged IVCC’s invaluable support, emphasizing the importance of the funding for IHI’s ongoing product testing activities at the Vector Control Product Testing Unit. This collaboration continues to drive forward our shared mission to eliminate malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

This visit to IHI  by the IVCC delegation was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this story are the responsibility of IVCC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.