Species-selective mosquito insecticide for indoor use
This technology is a new class of chemical compounds designed to kill mosquitoes while leaving humans unharmed. The compounds work by blocking a critical enzyme called acetylcholinesterase in mosquitoes, but are engineered so that the human version of the same enzyme is not significantly affected. The key innovation is using fluorine-containing chemical groups to create selectivity between insect and human biology. These compounds are designed to be applied to bed nets and sprayed on indoor surfaces — the two most common tools for malaria and mosquito-borne disease control.
What you could build
A next-generation insecticide formulation for insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying programs, sold to global health agencies, NGOs, and governments running malaria control programs in endemic regions.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and global health contractors based in Northern Virginia — such as those supporting USAID, DoD, or the President's Malaria Initiative — would be natural commercial or licensing partners.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Paul Carlier, Jeffrey Bloomquist, Sally Paulson, Eric Wong
- Granted
- March 6, 2012
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 8129428
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.