Oxitec makes international waves with CSIRO partnership

By Tom Kilkelly

28 September 2023

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Oxford's Oxitec Ltd, the developer of insect-based biological solutions for pest control, has announced that it is developing a targeted, biological friendly solution for the invasive Asian tiger mosquito - Aedes albopictus.

The solution will be made in collaboration with with CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.

This particular mosquito transmits debilitating and dangerous viral diseases such as dengue, Chikungunya and Zika.

The development program, funded by CSIRO, will enable the development of a safe, effective, and self-limiting strain of the mosquito that results in non-biting, non-disease transmitting male mosquitoes.

These self-limiting mosquitos will be developed in Oxitec’s UK R&D facilities. Oxitec has said 'this development is the first step towards delivering an urgently needed, highly effective biological solution for Aedes albopictus in the Pacific region and beyond'.

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Working with local communities impacted by this disease vector, CSIRO and Oxitec will work in partnership to deploy the technology in vulnerable regions once completed.

Grey Frandsen, Oxitec’s CEO, said: “We’re proud to be entering into a partnership with one of the world’s preeminent scientific institutions to take on the Asian tiger mosquito, which poses a danger to billions of people around the world.

''And climate change is only going to help it spread further. We’re ready to join the fight against this mosquito and we’re grateful for the support of and strong partnership with CSIRO, with whom we’re united in our commitment to deliver ground-breaking solutions to help communities most in need.”

By Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022.

During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan).

His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.