Bayer CropScience seeks WHO review of anti-malaria insecticide

Bayer CropScience has asked the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) to evaluate a new two-way insecticide mixture called Fludora Fusion to fight malaria in Africa.

The WHOPES evaluation and testing may take up to two years with the product available by the end of 2017. Malaria is one of the largest causes of infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We have been able to draw upon experience from other pest control situations, including agriculture, where mixtures have been shown to be very effective in situations where insecticide resistance is present,” Frederic Schmitt, global project manager for vector control at Bayer CropScience’s Environmental Science Division, said. “In Fludora Fusion, we took the decision to pair up a new insecticide with an unrelated mode of action as a two-way mixture. Used in conjunction with an integrated vector management approach, we think this innovation could continue to be a valuable tool long into the future.”

The malaria problem in Africa affects the health and the economic development of sub-Saharan Africa and vector control of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes remains critical to the success of the elimination of malaria. Mosquitoes are showing more resistance to the insecticides in use, which are managed by rotation of alternative modes of action between four insecticide classes. 

“Given the current situation with insecticide resistance, any new insecticide is precious and must be introduced in a way which gives it the best possible chance of remaining useful for malaria control programs for the long-term,” Justin McBeath, market segment manager for malaria vector control at Environmental Science, said.