Tshumisano facilitates deal for Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to commercialise new range of insect repellents in partnership with Afrepell Manufacturing

Tshumisano Trust is the implementation agency for the Department of Science and Technology that provides technical and financial support to Technology Stations based at Universities of Technology/Technikons across South Africa. Tshumisano’s mandate is to provide support to the SME sector through its technology station programme. The Technology Station Programme’s aim is to strengthen technological innovation activities and related skills upgrading to increase the relative competitiveness of technology based SME’s in targeted sectors including Downstream Chemicals.

An agreement between Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Afrepell Manufacturing Pty (Ltd) to commercialise new insect repellent products developed by NMMU’s Institute of Chemical Technology, InnoVenton, has been signed with the support from the technology station in Downstream Chemicals. They will continuously give support even in the commercialization of the product.
 
NMMU developed a new insect repellent formulation that is more effective at lower concentrations of active compounds than existing products.  Most insect repellent products depend on a single active substance at high concentration to repel insects.

 Researchers at NMMU discovered that by combining several different types of chemicals that differ in their mode of action into a single mixture, the resulting mixture is more effective than the compounds acting alone, and at lower concentrations.

 According to Dr Ilse Asquith, one of the co-inventors of the new technology, no two individuals have the same “attractiveness” for biting insects such as mosquitoes. This is the reason why two people around the same campfire, for example, will experience different numbers of mosquito bites. Just as humans differ from one person to the next, insects also differ in their ability to detect their prey, hence the reason why fewer “receptive” persons still get bitten.

Despite these facts, most insect repellent products depend on a single active substance to address these differences. By far the most effective insect repellent active substance, currently being used in insect repellent products, is a substance commonly known as DEET and in order to overcome the shortcomings of effectiveness, relatively high concentrations (>15%) of active substance are used in consumer products.

Despite its effectiveness, DEET has a number of disadvantages: it has a high potential to irritate eyes and mucous membranes; it leaves a sticky, greasy feeling on skin; and it has a strong odour.  Products containing DEET are not recommended for continuous use, or for use on an infant, as it is suspected of causing conditions such as meningitis.  It can also cause damage to glasses, watches, and other synthetic materials used for clothing and accessories.

 The formulation developed by NMMU, named RepelloX, has many potential advantages, including improved efficacy, improved safety (using “safe” ingredients and using significantly less material), and improved consumer acceptance (smell and skin-feel).

 NMMU and Afrepell Manufacturing have agreed to enter into a joint venture to manufacture, sell and license RepelloX.  Afrepell Manufacturing has already entered agreements with KORAM Ltd in the United Kingdom and KORAM USA Inc in the United States to market RepelloX products and technology internationally.

 
Representatives from Afrepell Manufacturing and NMMU recently visited the United States and, together with KORAM, made presentations to senior management at five major multinational corporations, all of which are significantly involved in the marketing of insect repellent products both in personal care and household products.

 Confidentiality agreements have been signed between Afrepell Manufacturing and the companies visited and a development agreement has been signed with one of them.

 While it is difficult to assess the time required in the development of new or reformulated retail products, it is likely that retail products incorporating RepelloX will be available to the international and local market in 2009.

Tshumisano team members that were behind the project