Hey everyone, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news from the team I’ve been working with over the past few months. This month, we’re launching Malaria Mission on Indiegogo—a groundbreaking project to fight malaria in a way that’s never been done before. As the web programmer for this campaign, I’ve poured my heart into building a platform to spread this message, and I can’t wait for you to join us in this fight. Let’s #BiteThemBack!
The Problem: Malaria Is a Global Killer
Malaria has plagued humanity for millennia, and despite progress, it remains a massive challenge. In 2012 alone, malaria killed over 600,000 people, with 53% of cases concentrated in Africa. Here in South-East Asia, where resistance to frontline drugs like artemisinin is growing—especially in Cambodia—the situation is dire. If these resistant parasites spread globally, deaths could skyrocket. Current tools like bed nets and indoor spraying help, but they don’t target mosquitoes biting outdoors, and some mosquito species are becoming resistant to insecticides. We need a new approach, and that’s where Malaria Mission comes in.
Our Solution: The Ivermectin Implant
Our science team, led by Carlos Chaccour and José Luis del Pozo, has developed an innovative solution: a silicone implant that releases ivermectin—a drug already used safely to treat parasitic diseases like river blindness—into the bloodstream for months. When a mosquito bites someone with the implant, the ivermectin in their blood kills the mosquito. It’s a game-changer because:
- It targets outdoor-biting mosquitoes, which current tools miss.
- It’s environmentally friendly, only affecting mosquitoes that feed on humans.
- It uses a unique mode of action to tackle mosquito resistance.
Carlos first had this idea while studying at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and he’s already run a controlled trial showing that ivermectin kills mosquitoes feeding on treated volunteers. Now, we’re ready to take this to the next level with your help.
Why This Matters
Malaria isn’t just a health issue—it’s a global crisis. In Africa, 1.9% of the population is killed by malaria each year. In South-East Asia, resistance to drugs like artemisinin, chloroquine, and mefloquine is spreading fast. If we don’t act now, the consequences could be catastrophic. By killing mosquitoes, we can reduce malaria transmission and buy time to develop new treatments. Plus, the implant can work alongside existing tools like bed nets and spraying, amplifying their impact in the global fight against malaria.
Join the Fight on Indiegogo
We’ve teamed up with the University of Navarre to make this a reality, and our campaign team—packed with talented folks like Isabel (our campaign manager), Santiago (audiovisuals), Chema (illustrations), Rocío (infographics), and Nadine (blog content)—has worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. I’ve had a blast building the website to showcase our mission, and I’m proud to be part of such a passionate group.
Head over to our Indiegogo campaign page to learn more, contribute, and grab some awesome perks. Every dollar helps us get closer to deploying these implants and saving lives. Want to dive deeper into the science or have questions? Check out the FAQ on our site or drop us a message—we’d love to hear from you.
Let’s bite back against malaria together. The clock is ticking, but with your support, we can end this disease in our lifetime.