Netmark Brings Long-Lasting Insecticide Net To Market

WASHINGTON (March 2, 2004) – NetMark, a public-private venture working to build commercial markets for insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in Africa, is teaming with Vestergaard to bring long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) to six African countries.

PermaNet 2.0, a LLIN manufactured by Vestergaard, recently received the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation for its use in malaria prevention and control. PermaNet 2.0 is one of 14 products supported by NetMark and one of only two LLINs currently recommended by WHO. 

With PermaNet 2.0, NetMark and Vestergaard are introducing a new technology in the fight against malaria.  PermaNet 2.0 is the only net developed using an insecticide-binder industrial process.  This process binds a resin coating to the net, which enables the insecticide to be progressively released from the net and retain insecticide activity up to 20 washes.

“With PermaNet 2.0 as part of our product offerings, NetMark is providing commercial markets with the best technology to fight Africa’s number one killer,” said NetMark Project Director David McGuire.  “NetMark’s goal is to get these ITNs into African households by creating competitive commercial markets for them and overcoming the access and cost barriers that currently exist.”

Insecticide-treated nets have proven to be the most effective method for preventing malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, where over two million people die every year as a result of the disease. ITNs have been shown to decrease severe malaria by 45%, reduce premature births by 42% and cut all-cause child mortality by 17- to 63%. 

Launched in 1999, NetMark is an eight-year project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to reduce the impact of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa by building commercial markets to increase the use and sustainable supply of ITNs.  For more information on the NetMark project, please visit www.netmarkafrica.org.

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