Hyris Technology aiding the battle against malaria, one disease at a time

TLDR:

• Hyris Technology has developed a prototype system to detect insecticide-resistant malaria vector mosquitoes in the field in less than three hours.
• This technology enables real-time surveillance of mosquito resistance to insecticides, aiding in effective malaria control strategies.

Hyris, in collaboration with international researchers, has created a field-deployable surveillance system to identify insecticide-resistant malaria vector mosquitoes in real-time. This prototype can diagnose mosquito resistance to insecticides at the field site within hours of capture, eliminating the need for transportation to centralized laboratories. The early detection of mosquito resistance is crucial for planning and implementing effective malaria control campaigns. Professor George Dimopoulos at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Professor Charles Wondji at the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases have led the research team in conducting laboratory R&D and field testing in Cameroon. The portable battery-powered Hyris System™ utilizes pre-filled dried cartridges that simplify the testing workflow. The stability of the dried reagents allows for storage at room temperature for up to six months, eliminating the need for freezers in remote field locations.

The project, supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to deploy the surveillance system nationwide in Cameroon to inform decision-making on malaria mosquito control strategies. The test’s field-deployable nature, combined with the absence of a cold chain requirement for shipping, makes it highly suitable for remote areas. Hyris is committed to developing advanced biotech solutions, and this project is aligned with their mission to enhance outbreak readiness and health prevention in challenging environments. This innovative technology represents a significant advancement in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases, malaria.