Oxitec, an Oxford University spin-out, Reports Successful Field Trials
3rd November 2011
In a letter to Nature Biotechnology, Oxitec have reported that field populations of mosquitoes responsible for the spread of dengue may be suppressed by using a proprietary strain of mosquito.
With up to 100 million cases per year worldwide, dengue is an infectious tropical disease that can become life threatening in a small proportion of cases. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “dengue haemorrhagic fever is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian countries”.
Oxitec was spun-out of the University in 2002 by Oxford University Innovation to pioneer environmentally safe methods of insect control.
The company has been recognised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ‘Grand Challenges for Global Health Initiative’ and awarded part of a $20m consortium grant developing strategies to control disease-carrying mosquitoes.
It is based on technology developed by Luke Alphey and colleagues from the University of Oxford’s Department of Zoology.
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