Sumitomo Chemical Joins Four Other Leading Crop Protection Companies in Joint Statement on Eradicating Malaria by 2040

Apr. 19, 2018

Sumitomo Chemical, together with four other leading crop protection companies-BASF, Bayer, Mitsui Chemicals, and Syngenta-issued a joint statement, at the London Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held this week, that they will remain firmly committed to supporting the research, development and supply of innovative products to eradicate malaria by 2040.

The five companies’ respective efforts have led to the development of innovative vector control solutions, such as bednets and indoor spraying. It is pointed out that since 2000, nearly 4 in every 5 malaria cases successfully averted through intervention have been due to long-lasting insecticide treated bednets and indoor residual spraying. Under the banner of "ZERO by 40", the joint statement lays out a goal of eradicating malaria by 2040, with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation^*1 and IVCC (the Innovative Vector Control Consortium)^*2. Capitalizing on their specialized knowledge and technologies, the five companies will individually promote various initiatives to eradicate malaria through developing and supplying more effective solutions and in closer cooperation with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and IVCC.

The joint statement contains a specific reference to SumiShield^TM 50WG, an indoor residual spray which Sumitomo Chemical began supplying in 2017, stating that the product, its active ingredient having a brand-new mode of action, is highly effective even against those mosquitoes that have developed resistance to existing pesticides, a vital problem threatening malaria eradication efforts. In the statement, Sumitomo Chemical also referred to its malaria eradication initiatives which had begun in the 1980s and re-affirmed its commitment to carry on the initiatives unabated.

In addition to SumiShield^TM 50WG, Sumitomo Chemical has kept developing an array of vector control products such as long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets, Olyset^® Net and Olyset^® Plus, and the larvicide Sumilarv^® 2MR for Dengue and Zika control. Sumitomo Chemical will continue to vigorously work on developing even more effective products and technologies that will help to prevent vector-borne diseases.

1. A philanthropic funding institution founded with the aim of reducing the burden of infectious disease and main causes of child deaths in developing countries, as well as reducing health inequalities.
2. A non-profit organization founded with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2005 with the aim of reducing infections from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes (malaria, Dengue fever) through the development of innovative products. It provides support in the form of donated funds and product evaluations to companies working to develop new products.

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