Headquartered in Switzerland, Vestergaard (founded as Vestergaard Frandsen) offers a host of global health solutions focused on improving health among vulnerable people in the developing world. Among Vestergaard Frandsen’s innovative products are PermaNet® 3.0 Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINS), which are designed to prevent malaria.

A 2018 milestone was announced at the 7th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria, with a new class of PBO (piperonyl butoxide) LLINs being approved for use by the World Health Organization (WHO). With LLINs individual access in Africa increasing from 34 percent to 61 percent from 2010 to 2016, they help kill insecticide resistant mosquitoes in regions that have high malaria transmission. They have been a primary driver in a 68 percent decrease in malaria cases across Africa.

Unfortunately, resistance has been increasing to the bed net approved insecticide pyrethroid. This necessitates next generation solutions such as PBOs, which work by blocking the metabolic enzymes employed by the mosquito in breaking down the insecticide. Company CEO Mikkel Vestergaard described the WHO decision as enabling a simple, easy-to-use intervention that stands as “one of the cheapest ways to save lives.”