WHO prequalifies Mitsui Chemicals’ Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) for malaria control

AFRICA – World Health Organization has prequalified Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) for malaria control by Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc.

VECTRONTM T500 is a new IRS product containing TENEBENALTM, the world’s first meta-diamide active ingredient (IRAC Group 30) which has a different mode of action from existing vector control products.

Mitsui Chemicals Agro will launch VECTRONTM T500 in sub-Saharan African countries from 2023 in line with locally required conditions of use.

“Mitsui Chemicals Agro is an R&D driven chemical company, that has been developing malaria vector control products to save human lives. Our mission is to provide solutions to health challenges through the development and deployment of innovative, high-quality products,” said president & CEO Mitsui Chemicals Agro OZAWA Satoshi.

“We are committed to malaria eradication and are excited about the launch of VECTRONTM T500. We appreciate the support of all our stakeholders and partners in reaching this important milestone.”

VECTRONTM T500 will support the rotation of insecticides in line with best practice insecticide resistance management, which is critical to preserve the long-term efficacy of vector control tools.

VECTRONTM T500 has outstanding efficacy against malaria vector mosquitoes including strains and populations resistant to pyrethroids and some other insecticides. It works on a variety of types of wall surfaces, including mud, and shows long residual efficacy.

VECTRONTM T500 is non-repellent, odorless and stainless formulation with low mammalian acute toxicity, and is supplied in easy-to-handle 50g aluminum sachets.

“IVCC was established with a mission to work with partners, such as Mitsui Chemicals Agro, to accelerate the availability of new public health insecticides which will help address the significant threat of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors,” Justin McBeath CEO of IVCC added.

“We are delighted to have supported Mitsui Chemicals Agro on their achievement of the PQ-listing of this important breakthrough product which represents another significant milestone in the fight against malaria.”

This comes a new species of mosquito, the Anopheles Stephensi has been discovered in different parts of the world.

According to WHO, invasion of An. Stephensi in sub Saharan Africa, where the burden of malaria is highest and over 40 percent of the population lives in urban environments, is worrying.