MARCH 23, 2004
ISCA TECHNOLOGIES AWARDED FOUNDATION FOR CSUSB GRANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF "INNOVATIVE TRAP TO MANAGE VECTORS OF DISEASES"

Mosquitoes are nuisance pests for humans and livestock. They can transmit vector borne diseases, thus causing tremendous human suffering and hampering economic development in many parts of the world. Malaria is the most devastating human vector-borne disease: 40 percent of the world's population is at risk of contracting malaria, and 2.5 million succumb each year to the disease. Another worldwide vector borne disease is the global prevalence of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever, which have grown dramatically in recent decades (Gratz 1999) spreading from 9 to some 40 countries.

The mission of ISCA Technologies, Inc. (Riverside, CA) is to provide environmentally friendly and economical pest control strategies for the agricultural and urban markets. To this end, this company has developed the ISCA Mosquito Trap - a non-toxic, indoor and outdoor mosquito control device. In preliminary laboratory studies, a single ISCA Mosquito Trap in a medium-sized bedroom captured all 100 released mosquitoes in as little as 8 minutes, a rate significantly higher than other commercially available mosquito traps. Interestingly, the ISCA Mosquito Trap is not only more effective, but it also has the potential of lasting three times longer than other commercially available mosquito traps. ISCA's mosquito attractant is uniquely different from other lures in that it mimics odors that are released from the skin of people. Furthermore, the lines of ISCA attractants are species specific, meaning they are designed to attract a targeted group of insect species without harming other non-target species.

Upon successful development, the mosquito trap will be marketed to governmental agencies (e.g. ministries of health) and vector control entities. As an indoor mosquito control device, the trap will be marketed directly to consumers, both in the United States and abroad.

With initial OTTC funding of $75,000, ISCA Technologies aims to improve the ISCA Mosquito Trap to serve both as a light-weight, rugged field trap for risk evaluation of biting insects for public health agencies and vector control entities; and an effective, inexpensive, and easy to use trap to monitor and mitigate urban mosquitoes for homeowners.


ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO'S OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAM

California State University, San Bernardino's (CSUSB) Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization (OTTC) results from a public-private collaborative partnership of academia, industry, and government. Its purpose is to assist in the movement of technology from laboratory to commercial or military use. CSUSB OTTC recently announced the awarding of more than $1.4 million in support to 17 emerging technologies. In keeping with its mission to assist in commercializing technologies from military and government-sponsored laboratories, two of the technologies receiving support were developed in military laboratories and two were developed in government-sponsored laboratories. In addition, OTTC seeks to support the growth of Inland Empire businesses and hence, six of the technologies receiving support are being developed by companies located within the Inland Empire.

OTTC provides awards for Research and Development and Prototype Development and Testing. These funds go directly to the inventors for moving the technology to the next stages of development. The goal of OTTC is to provide technologies and entrepreneurs with the financial support and expertise they need to take their technology to the market place, thereby making the technology available to the public and creating new jobs.

return to News Releases