1. Florida Keys 15 th March

2. background Foundation –Oxford University –2002 –Private company, 40 staff Collaborations –US Department of Agriculture –University of California, Irvine and Colorado State Univ –Institut Pasteur, France –Ministry of Health, Malaysia –Gorgas Institute, Panama –Mosquito Research and Control Unit, Cayman –GBIT, India –Moscamed / University of Sao Paulo Brazil –SIPPE China

3. goals Combat insect borne diseases Improve crop yields through the reduction of the insect population causing disease or damaging crops genetic approach that is safe, sustainable, economic and applicable to many insect species worldwide

4. dengue fever 50 -100 million cases pa, increasing One main vector worldwide; Aedes aegypti Invasive species in most countries Symptoms – joint/muscle pain ‘Breakbone fever’ Severe form Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) No medication or vaccine Same vector – Chikungunya and Yellow Fever Dengue is a global unmet health challenge

5. reported dengue cases Sources: PAHO/WHO

6. Why is dengue growing? ‘Dengue prevention and control solely depends on effective vector control measures’ WHO Aedes aegypti is an invasive species in most countries highly adapted to the urban environment very difficult to control with larvicides or insecticides lays eggs in many small water containers lives in and around the home

7. Oxitec’s solution RIDL®

8. sterile insect techniques Benefits –environmentally friendly –males actively seek females –proven approach –long history Major programmes –New World screw worm –Cotton (Pink bollworm) Citrus (Medfly) But, has not proved viable in mosquitoes Benefits –proven in mosquitoes –applicable to local area control –many species –minimal fitness penalty –male only release –‘built in’ monitoring

9. benefits of Oxitec’s approach reduction in target insect population species specific self limiting strategy, controllable defined area low environmental impact –APHIS (USDA) Environmental Impact Statement: approach is ‘environmentally preferable’ to available alternatives.

10. 1 releases The releases are made at predetermined points by hand or from the back of a truck

11. Cayman Islands open trial 2010 July- releases at target level August- popn starts to decline October- Control

12. public engagement

13. Thank you! www.oxitec.com