BASF Introduces New Class of Insecticide for Malaria Prevention

BASF SE has received a recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) for Interceptor G2, a long-lasting INSECTICIDE-treated mosquito net (LN) based on Chlorfenapyr.

Chlorfenapyr is a completely new insecticide class for combating mosquitoes for public health. This is the first WHO recommendation for a product based on a new insecticide class in more than 30 years.

Working with the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in a collaboration lasting over a decade, BASF’s scientists successfully repurposed chlorfenapyr to be effective on mosquito nets and meet stringent WHO performance thresholds for public health.

A second chlorfenapyr product, an indoor residual spray named Sylando 240SC, is also in the final phases of WHO evaluation.

Long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LN) and indoor residual sprays are the cornerstones of malaria prevention, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. But 60 countries have already reported resistance to at least one class of insecticide used in them. Part of the problem is that there were previously only four WHO-recommended insecticide classes for adult mosquito control: Only one of them, the pyrethroid class, was recommended for LNs. Continual use of the same Insecticides enabled the highly-adaptable mosquito to develop significant levels of resistance.  

Independent trials in Benin, Burkina Faso, Tanzania and Ivory Coast have proven the efficacy of Interceptor G2 and Sylando 240SC against local insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.

Following the WHO recommendation, BASF will start preparations to launch Interceptor G2 for malaria prevention. Depending on local registration processes, the new mosquito net is expected to be available to health ministries and aid organisations starting towards the end of this year.

“The collaboration with BASF gave us access to an insecticide with a rare combination of attributes: New to public health, effective against resistant mosquitoes, and able to coat polyester netting with a long-lasting formulation,” said Dave Malone, IVCC technical manager.

“New resistance management products are desperately needed to prevent mosquito-borne diseases and save lives. This development breakthrough strengthens my personal belief that we really can be the generation to end malaria for good,” added Egon Weinmueller, head of BASF’s public health business.