Innovation to Impact (I2I) is a comprehensive, global partnership to transform the process for developing and delivering life-saving vector control products for diseases caused by vector borne pathogens. The I2I effort was launched in 2013 in response to increased insecticide resistance in vectors and gaps in transmission protection.
More than 30 stakeholders across the community – including industry, global evaluation and regulatory bodies, procurers, local and national representatives, and donors – have engaged in developing the I2I vision. They have planned activities that ensure implementation during multiple meetings on an individual and group basis. I2I is now in the implementation phase.
The goal of I2I is to create a development ecosystem for vector control products that supports innovation, efficiency, and quality assurance.
Challenges and Case for Change
Vector control tools have played a pivotal role in reducing the mortality and morbidity rates associated with many vector-borne diseases. From 2000 to 2013, malaria mortality rates fell by 47% worldwide and by 54% in the African region, where ~90% of global mortality from malaria occurs. Recent evidence shows that vector control is responsible for approximately 80% of malaria cases averted in the past 15 years. Vector control tools have also been instrumental in fighting other diseases, such as dengue, Human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis.
Despite these gains, vector-borne diseases continue to be one of the leading causes of mortality, especially among children under 5, across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Reducing the impact of these diseases, by achieving a malaria-free world and eliminating and controlling NTDs, is now a global priority. Vector control will play a critical role in sustaining the aforementioned gains and achieving global goals. However, the vector control community must address several challenges which stand in the way. First, resistance to commonly used insecticides has been reported in over 64 countries across Africa and Asia. Furthermore, coverage remains an issue; existing tools used in global health are designed to prevent indoor biting, leaving outdoor transmission as a critical gap in protection. The vector control community has been developing solutions for these issues. Yet, to fully address these challenges, system-wide issues must be addressed. Primarily, these challenges are:
The I2I Vision
To address the key challenges of insecticide resistance and gaps in transmission protection, they must develop a new system that predictably and efficiently brings effective, safe, high quality, innovative vector control tools to market. To do so, the system must:
