On Sept. 19, 2024, Oxitec announced it had launched Sparks™, a new commercial platform to accelerate the global scale-up of Wolbachia replacement technology, a proven, sustainable method of limiting mosquitoes’ ability to transmit dengue. Supported by a multi-million-dollar investment from the Gates Foundation, Sparks™ leverages Oxitec’s leading global R&D teams, manufacturing operations and distribution partnerships to rapidly scale Wolbachia supply and pursue access-enhancing pricing for communities most in need as set forth by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

This announcement comes as climate change drives the rise of new invasive pest threats across globally, including the rapid spread of a type of mosquito called Aedes aegypti. This invasive mosquito species spreads a number of infectious diseases, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. Up to 400 million people each year suffer from dengue – a debilitating and sometimes fatal disease also known as ‘break-bone fever’ – and the number of infections is growing rapidly.

Oxitec’s Friendly™ mosquitoes and Sparks™ Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes play different and complementary roles in the fight against dengue. Oxitec’s Friendly™ mosquitoes are designed to significantly suppress populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes and, in turn, reduce biting and the threat of disease transmission.

The Sparks™ commercial platform to accelerate the global scale-up of Wolbachia replacement technology is an addition to Oxitec’s growing portfolio of biological solutions to control pests that spread disease, destroy crops and harm livestock. Sparks™ will complement Oxitec’s groundbreaking mosquito solution, Friendly™ Aedes aegypti, which is the leading dengue vector suppression solution that effectively reduces disease-spreading mosquito populations. Friendly™ Aedes aegypti is the first self-limiting solution in the world to be commercialized at scale where in Brazil it is being manufactured and distributed by more than 20 professional distribution partners, and is serving cities, large-scale employers, public spaces, transport hubs, schools, and a range of other end-users across the country.

Oxitec’s Friendly™ mosquitoes and Sparks™ Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes play different and complementary roles in the fight against dengue. Oxitec’s Friendly™ mosquitoes are designed to significantly suppress populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes and, in turn, reduce biting and the threat of disease transmission. Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes are designed to spread Wolbachia bacteria into the local mosquito population to limit the ability of the remaining infected mosquito population to transmit dengue. Each is suited for specific settings and intervention types, and provide options for governments and communities seeking suppression, replacement or hybrid approaches using both.

To date, Wolbachia replacement technology has been advanced largely by non-profit and university-based initiatives funded by philanthropic or government grants, which have demonstrated in a range of pilot programs the effectiveness of the approach.

With the technology now proven, it is ready to transition to commercial manufacturing at scale to increase access for communities most in need.