Technological projects portfolio

Apart from the nuisance they cause, certain mosquitoes and other dipterans are vectors for viruses and parasites responsible for potentially serious human and animal health problems. Due to climate disruption, mosquitoes previously present in specific geographic zones are now adapting to new regions: this is the case for the Asian tiger mosquito which is a carrier of the dengue and Chikungunya viruses.

Insecticides are the primary means of combating them, but their intensive use has led to the appearance of resistance in mosquitoes, and is incompatible with plans to reduce phytosanitary products.

The most used organic solutions available for combating them are Bacillus thuringiensis-based (Bt) products, which have the disadvantage of producing toxins sensitive to degradation of the environment (by ultraviolet rays for example) and therefore not very effective over the long term. Furthermore, spreading Bts in the form of spores that disperse is problematic for the environment and health.

MosKO technology is based on a genetic modification of the Bt bacterium.

Firstly, it is non-spore-forming, which solves the problem of dispersal. Secondly, the toxins are encapsulated, which protects them from degradation of the environment and therefore increases their stability and effectiveness over time.

The product developed by MosKO is aimed at the vector control market, to combat insects that carry the Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria and Zika viruses.