Introducing Sparks?, Powered by Oxitec

Oxitec has launched Sparks?, a groundbreaking 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? will leverage 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.?

We've set out all the key information in this newsletter. Stay tuned as we share more about Sparks?.?

Explore the Sparks? website ??

A Note from Oxitec CEO, Grey Frandsen

“Our new Sparks? enterprise is a natural extension of Oxitec’s mission and platform, and we’re thrilled to be joining the global effort to increase access to this powerful technology while driving costs down. To achieve these twin aims, we’re building a sustainable, scalable enterprise model that will eliminate the need for continued charitable funding in perpetuity while giving governments and communities new options. We’re thankful for the scientific endeavours to date that have proven the effectiveness of this technology and we’re thrilled to have been given the support by the Gates Foundation to jump-start this critical effort.”

Our Goal: Expanding Access to Wolbachia

Climate change is giving rise to a massive invasive pest threat to human sustainability on Earth, which is causing the spread of diseases like dengue.

Up to 400 million people each year suffer from dengue, and the number of infections is growing rapidly due to rapid urbanisation and a rise in extreme weather events.

To help address this growing challenge, Oxitec is launching Sparks?, a new enterprise to scale Wolbachia replacement technology (WRT) using the strength of Oxitec’s platform, partnerships, and global operations.

Sparks? will scale the deployment of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying the naturally occurring bacteria, Wolbachia, which is proven to reduce Aedes aegypti mosquitoes’ ability to spread dengue and other viral diseases.

In 2022, the World Health Organization published a target product profile (TPP) that calls for additional manufacturers to help increase supply of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to provide coverage for more countries at a cost that is sustainable for governments and communities. Oxitec will pursue the WHO targets and work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, partners and allies to do so as it begins to ramp up supply.

Read our press release ??

Complementary Approaches:?Sparks? and?Friendly? Mosquitoes?

The Sparks? platform 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 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.
• Sparks? 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.

As anticipated by the WHO and independent scientific modelling, the combination of the suppression effects of Friendly? solutions with a Wolbachia replacement approach has the potential to create important synergies that are anticipated to further drive costs down, speed up the time to impact, and ultimately accelerate the reduction of dengue rates. Oxitec will have both solutions available for tailored intervention programs based on the needs of governments and communities.

About Wolbachia

Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium found in certain insect species. Approximately 6 in 10 of all insects, including butterflies, bees, and beetles have Wolbachia. When introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, it blocks viruses like dengue, chikungunya and Zika from growing inside them, thereby making mosquitoes less capable of spreading diseases. Wolbachia?lives inside insect cells and is passed from one generation to the next through an insect’s eggs. If enough Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti?are released into a neighbourhood, they replace local, non-carrying?Aedes aegypti. This is called Wolbachia Replacement Technology, and has been proven to lead to reduced dengue transmission in treated communities.?

Partnerships Power Everything We Do

Oxitec’s platform has been built with the support of hundreds of partner organizations globally and with thousands of people who have committed their lives to using the power of biology to combat global challenges like dengue.

Sparks? will be no different.

Because Sparks? is focused on reducing costs of Wolbachia, we are creating a global network of partners with complementary areas of expertise and leveraging the best-in-class in all of the critical areas for streamlining how Wolbachia reaches those who need it the most.

From innovators in university labs to leading pest control companies, and from suppliers to distributors, the Sparks? network will be in service to governments and communities globally.

If you would like to explore partnership options with us, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

We Need You!?

As we ramp up Sparks?, we need more amazing people to join us.

The Sparks? initiative is powered by the people at Oxitec. Oxitec team members are passionate individuals from more than 15 countries working on technologies and services to address a range of climate-driven challenges like malaria, dengue, livestock diseases, food security threats, and more, using the power of biology.

We’re always on the lookout for stellar talent to support all of our programs and initiatives.?

Get in touch with us at [email protected]