Universiti Malaya (UM) through Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC) and FiberCraze Co. Ltd, Japan officiated their partnership in research and development by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to conduct usability studies of the products to control and lessen the burden of vector-borne diseases such as dengue in Malaysia.
Through the collaboration, TIDREC will be testing the efficacy of FiberCraze products in repelling mosquitoes in the laboratory and in the field. It will open opportunities for TIDREC’s students and personnel to enhance their skill and experience in performing field trials.
The Executive Director of TIDREC, Professor Sazaly Abu Bakar said that this partnership with FiberCraze, Japan, represents another significant milestone in the development of technologies against the pervasive threat of vector-borne diseases.
“Leveraging FiberCraze's innovative technology to develop materials that can have impact on diseases like dengue and malaria aligns perfectly with TIDREC's mission to advance research and education in tropical infectious diseases.
“We are excited about the potential of this collaboration to bring about meaningful and sustainable solutions to one of the most pressing health challenges in Malaysia and beyond. TIDREC believes that this collaboration is the beginning of a long-term relationship with FiberCraze. We look forward to many more exciting research endeavors in the future.” Professor Sazaly added.
Meanwhile, the CEO of FiberCraze, Shunya Chosokabe mentioned that he was surprised that mosquitoes are considered the world’s deadliest animal. He also added that the use of certain insect repellents can be toxic to marine life. As such, FiberCraze aims to develop environmental-friendly high-performance materials in line with its mission “Create Materials the World Can Be Proud of.” FiberCraze is convinced it made the right decision in collaborating with UM considering TIDREC’s vast experience in infectious disease research particularly in vector and vector-borne diseases.
FiberCraze Co., Ltd. is a startup originating from Gifu University specializing in the development of high-functionality materials. FiberCraze has developed its original porous fibers “Craze-tex” and film materials that are able to encapsulate insect-repelling agents. They function to repel mosquitoes and prevent vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and malaria. FiberCraze is collaborating with UM, represented by its Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC),
TIDREC, a Higher Institution of Excellence (HiCoE) of the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, established at the Universiti Malaya, is a leading infectious disease research institution in Malaysia, specializing in the study of vector and vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and Zika virus that are commonly prevalent in tropical regions. Utilizing state-of-the-art research facilities and an international research network, TIDREC is dedicated to the early detection, diagnosis, prevention, and development of treatments for infectious diseases. This collaboration aims to bring together the expertise and technology of both institutions to provide concrete solutions to global health challenges.
For more information on FiberCraze Co. Ltd., kindly visit https://www.fibercraze.com/en