Syngenta recently announced that its next-generation insecticide, Sovrenta?, has received pre-qualification from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking an important milestone in Syngenta's efforts to bring its most advanced innovations to malaria-endemic countries and paving the way for its use in malaria-affected regions.
The WHO's Vector Control Product Pre-Qualification (VCPP) is a rigorous process that ensures the safety, efficacy, and quality of vector-borne disease control products. Its list of prequalified vector control products is used by international procurement agencies and by countries to guide bulk purchasing of these products for distribution in resource-limited countries.
Malaria is one of the world's most deadly diseases. According to the WHO, malaria infected 263 million people and killed nearly 600,000 people in 2023 ,75?percent?of whom were children under the age of 5. Of those afflicted, 94?percent are in Africa.
Spread by parasites in infected mosquitoes that are highly adept at evolving, the rise of malaria highlights the challenges of insecticide resistance and the difficulties in developing new solutions. Effective mosquito control remains a key strategy for reducing disease transmission.
Sovrenta? targets a mosquito's nervous system by blocking signals that allow its muscles to relax, ultimately paralyzing and killing the insect. Its long-lasting, effective control requires just one application per season, helping to reduce costs for malaria prevention programs.
Sovrenta? is based on Syngenta's advanced PLINAZOLIN? technology, featuring a new mode of action that ensures effective control of mosquitoes even in populations increasingly resistant to older insecticides. When used in rotation with other products, Sovrenta? can help preserve the effectiveness of critical vector control solutions over time.
For decades, Syngenta has been at the forefront of the fight against malaria, demonstrating its commitment to developing new solutions through in-house R&D. Its products, such as Actellic?, already help prevent up to 100 million cases of malaria in more than 30 countries.