ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre

What ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre does

ICMR-National Institute of Vector Control Research (NIVCR) is a permanent government research institute under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Government of India. Established in July 1975 at Puducherry, the institute's mandate is to develop new methods, tools, and strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases (VBDs), including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, scrub typhus, Kyasanur Forest Disease, and leishmaniasis. It operates ten research divisions spanning vector biology and control, microbiology and molecular biology, biostatistics and VBD modelling, clinical epidemiology and chemotherapy, OMICS, innovation and product development, molecular epidemiology, one health, and climate change/GIS-based VBD stratification, supported by specialized facilities including a WHO-grade insectary, GLP-accredited laboratories, a microbial culture collection maintained since 1978, a 43,388-specimen mosquito museum, a genetic analyser, a CPCSEA-registered animal house, and an MMDP clinic for filarial lymphoedema patients. The institute also runs an M.Sc. Public Health Entomology programme and PhD affiliations with Pondicherry and Bharathiar universities.

The institute has generated a portfolio of indigenous products and IP, including four granted patents (notably macrofilaricidal compositions from Trachyspermum ammi and controlled-release insect growth regulators), bio-control agents (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis), the DEPA mosquito repellent, Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti release lines, indigenous Insecticide Impregnated Papers for vector resistance monitoring, and a long-lasting insecticidal net (MAGNet) in Phase III evaluation. NIVCR does not operate a commercial revenue model; it is funded by Government of India budgetary allocations through ICMR/DHR, and serves government health departments, the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), state health services, WHO collaborating networks, and academic/research institutions through technical support, training, technology transfer, and capacity building rather than commercial sales. Its go-to-market is non-commercial: outputs are disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, training workshops, policy recommendations, and direct technical engagement with national disease control programmes.

Name

ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre

Legal name

ICMR-National Institute of Vector Control Research

Website

https://vcrc.icmr.org.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ICMR-NIVCR is a Government of India research institute under ICMR/DHR, established 1975 in Puducherry, developing vector control methods, diagnostics, bio-control agents, and training for malaria, dengue, filariasis, and other vector-borne diseases for state and national health programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vector-Borne Disease Research and Control

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511), Exterminating and Pest Control Services (56171)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance & Control (HLAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tick-Borne & Vector-Borne Diseases (HLAKAGAL), Microbiology & Infectious Disease Diagnostics (Culture/ID/AST) (HLAHAAAC), Mosquito & Tick Control (IMAIAHAI), Disease-Specific Reference Laboratory Networks (e.g., TB, HIV, Influenza) (HLAJAIAD)

Keywords

• Vector-borne disease research
• Medical entomology
• Vector control products
• Insecticide resistance monitoring
• Public health entomology training

Headquarters

HQ city

Puducherry, Puducherry

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: Funded by Government of India through Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research (DHR). Receives grants for intramural research, extramural projects, and serves as a permanent institute of ICMR.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ICMR-NIVCR is a government research institute that conducts basic and applied research to develop newer methods, products, diagnostics, and strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, scrub typhus, Kyasanur Forest Disease, and leishmaniasis. Its deliverables span bacterial bio-control agents, macrofilaricidal drug compositions, insect growth regulators, mosquito repellents, insecticide impregnated papers, Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti lines, rapid diagnostic assays, long-lasting insecticidal nets, and ovitraps, supported by GLP-accredited laboratories and a unique mosquito museum. It also delivers capacity building through the M.Sc. Public Health Entomology programme, PhD affiliations, training workshops, and clinical MMDP services for filarial lymphoedema patients.

Product overview

ICMR-National Institute of Vector Control Research (NIVCR) is a government research institute under the Indian Council of Medical Research, established in 1975 in Puducherry. The institute operates as a research-focused organization rather than a commercial product company, developing vector control technologies, bio-control agents, diagnostic tools, and drug candidates primarily for vector-borne diseases including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, scrub typhus, and leishmaniasis. The product portfolio includes bacterial bio-control agents (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis), drug formulations (macrofilaricidal compositions, DEC salt), vector control products (mosquito repellents, insect growth regulators like DPE-28, long-lasting insecticidal nets), diagnostic tools (rapid dengue tests, scrub typhus IgM ELISA), and innovative technologies (Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, nanoparticle-based assays, insecticide impregnated papers). These products are developed through various research divisions and transferred to government programs and industry partners rather than sold as a unified commercial software or product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bacterial Bio-Control Agents for Mosquito Larval Control A portfolio of bacterial bio-control agents used against mosquito larvae in vector-borne disease control programmes, including Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus thuringiensis.
• Novel Macrofilaricidal Composition Macrofilaricidal composition developed by Nisha Mathew, Kalyanasundaram M and Balaraman K for treatment of lymphatic filariasis, granted Indian Patent No. 280638 (2017).
• Trachyspermum ammi-based Macrofilaricidal Agent Macrofilaricidal activity of monoterpene derivatives from Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) fruit extract against filariasis, granted Indian Patent No. 274393 (2016).
• DPE-28 Controlled Release Insect Growth Regulator Formulation Controlled release formulation of the insect growth regulator DPE-28 for mosquito larval control, granted Indian Patent No. 191820 (2005).
• Cyclosporin-A Production Technology from Tolypocladium species Multi-jurisdictional patented process for the preparation of Cyclosporin-A from Tolypocladium species (US Patent 5,656,459; Brazilian BR9601017; European EP-96-356060/36; Indian 183940; DE69521193T; Canadian CA-2142240 C).
• DEPA Mosquito Repellent Formulation Mosquito repellent formulation developed for personal protection against mosquito bites.
• Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Combinations Plant-derived essential oil combinations developed as mosquito repellents for personal protection.
• E-57 Mosquito Oviposition Attractant Synthetic mosquito oviposition attractant for vector surveillance and control applications.
• Synthetic Pyrethroid Esters (P-29 and P-38) Synthetic pyrethroid esters developed for adulticidal and larvicidal activity against mosquitoes.
• Insecticide Impregnated Papers (IIPs) Indigenous insecticide impregnated papers prepared and supplied to NVBDCP for monitoring susceptibility and resistance in vector mosquitoes across India.
• Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti Release Lines Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (wMel and wAlbB infected lines) for dengue and chikungunya control through cytoplasmic incompatibility, including the A226V mutation discovery in the CHIKV envelope gene.
• MAGNet Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net Alpha-cypermethrin long-lasting insecticidal net for malaria vector control, currently undergoing Phase III evaluation.
• Ovillanta Ovitrap Cost-effective ovitrap design for dengue and chikungunya vector surveillance and control.
• Nanoparticle-based Rapid Dengue Diagnostic Assay Nanoparticle-based rapid diagnostic assay for detecting dengue virus in mosquitoes, developed at the Madurai field station.
• Scrub Typhus IgM ELISA and Antigen Detection Test IgM ELISA and antigen detection tests developed for diagnosis of scrub typhus in humans, supporting India's first national guidelines on scrub typhus diagnostics and management.
• DEC Salt Formulation Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) medicated salt formulation for mass chemotherapy of lymphatic filariasis, with accompanying HPLC analytical method.
• Lymphatic Filariasis Rapid Diagnostic Tools Rapid antigen testing tools developed for filariasis detection and surveillance in support of national LF elimination efforts.
• Silver Nanoparticles and Nanofibre Encapsulation for Mosquito Control Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from plants for mosquito vector control, and nanofibre encapsulation technology for sustained production of mosquito larvicides using Pseudomonas fluorescens.
• M.Sc. Public Health Entomology and Ph.D. Programmes Academic programmes in Public Health Entomology (M.Sc. PHE) and affiliated Ph.D. programmes through Pondicherry University and Bharathiar University, building national capacity in medical entomology and vector-borne disease research.
• Capacity Building Training Workshops on Vectors and VBDs Training workshop series on vectors and vector-borne diseases delivered to state government health personnel, medical college staff, and international researchers, supporting nationwide capacity building.
• Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) Clinical Services Clinical services for filarial lymphoedema patients including pneumatic decompression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and yoga therapy delivered at the NIVCR MMDP clinic.
• Mosquito Attractant Blends Small molecule mosquito attractant blends developed for vector surveillance applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Developed LYMFASIM model for estimating MDA duration for LF elimination, now used for WHO transmission assessment surveys
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO designated NIVCR as a Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Lymphatic Filariasis and Integrated Vector Management on 15th May 1985. This designation enables international collaboration, research support, and training programmes for vector-borne disease control.
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIVCR is one of the permanent institutes of ICMR, Department of Health Research, Government of India. Receives institutional funding and coordinates research through ICMR network.
• Department of Health Research (DHR), Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder DHR along with ICMR, NIVCR conducts research and receives funding for disease research initiatives including Model Rural Health Research Unit.
• Pondicherry UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic affiliation for PhD programmes. PhD scholars from NIVCR affiliated to Pondicherry University.
• Bharathiar UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research and education in vector-borne disease research.
• National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIVCR provides insecticide impregnated papers and technical support to NVBDCP for national insecticide resistance monitoring programme.
• Erasmus University, RotterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for development of LYMFASIM model for lymphatic filariasis transmission modelling.
• Monash University, AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived Wolbachia carrying Aedes aegypti eggs from Monash University for Wolbachia-based dengue control research.
• ICMR National Institute of Malaria ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in GLP facility development and public health pesticide evaluation research.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights1 record

Direct peers

• Institut Pasteur de Madagascar: Institut Pasteur network member focused on vector-borne diseases (malaria, plague, arboviruses) with laboratory, field, and reference centre functions. Comparable research infrastructure including insectaries, diagnostic labs, and WHO-grade reference functions, though operating in Madagascar rather than India.
• Ifakara Health Institute: Tanzanian research institute with a strong vector control and malaria research portfolio, including field stations and WHO collaborating centre functions. Operates in a different geography but on closely comparable topics — mosquito biology, insecticide resistance, and vector-borne disease surveillance — making it a strong methodological peer.
• ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR): Another permanent institute of ICMR focused on malaria research and control, with shared GLP testing collaboration on public health pesticides. Operates under the same parent (ICMR/DHR) and serves overlapping NVBDCP mandates, making it the most directly comparable peer for institutional structure, funding model, and research scope.
• World Mosquito Program: Global non-profit deploying Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for dengue and chikungunya control — exactly the technology NIVCR has imported from Monash University. Directly competing on Wolbachia scale-up and field deployment, though World Mosquito Program operates at far greater geographic scale and is the field-deployment leader.
• National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai: Sister ICMR institute in Chennai focused on epidemiological research, training, and field investigations for communicable diseases. Shares the same government research institute structure, ICMR oversight, and public health mandate, with overlapping interests in disease surveillance and outbreak investigation.

Broad incumbents

• Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine: Historic UK-based institution focused on tropical disease research and vector control, with WHO collaborating centre functions and long-standing partnerships with NIVCR through shared filariasis programmes. Comparable in international training and translational research focus, but operates as an academic rather than government entity.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): US federal agency with the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases conducting arboviral disease, malaria, and Lyme disease research — overlapping strongly with NIVCR's portfolio on surveillance, diagnostics, and vector control. Operates at vastly greater scale and budget, but shares the government research institute model with WHO collaborating centre status.
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Headquarters: Direct parent organization overseeing NIVCR and 26 other permanent research institutes. Provides funding, governance, and policy direction for vector-borne disease research in India — and therefore the most institutionally comparable entity, though operating as an apex coordinating body rather than a research lab.
• Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI): National medical research institute in Kenya with established programmes on malaria, leishmaniasis, and other vector-borne diseases. Comparable institutional model — government-funded, multi-disease research portfolio, field stations, and WHO collaborating centre status — but operates at broader geographic scale across East Africa.

Regional players

• National Institute of Malaria, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE), Vietnam: Vietnamese government research institute focused on malaria, parasitology, and medical entomology — directly comparable in mission and institutional structure to NIVCR. Both serve as national reference centres for vector control with WHO collaborating functions, but operate in different geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icmr-vcrc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre