Polymeric matrix loaded with tick repellent or toxic compositions for incorporation into fabrics or for granular dispersal

Project Summary/Abstract
Within the US, ticks transmit 18 human pathogens, one of the most serious being Lyme disease, with an
estimated 476,000 cases per year. Current tick management and human repellent and toxic products were
designed either with protection against ticks as an “after-thought” or through the use of a pyrethroid insecticide
to which ticks are increasingly developing resistance. There is also a current push by consumers to use natural
and organic pest control products. As global temperatures rise, leading to a higher incidence of tick-borne
diseases, there is a critical need for improved tick management products. This Phase II application will build on
the development of novel polymeric microparticles as carriers of non-volatile acaricides by BanfieldBio for the
DWFP award on “Murine autodissemination for long-term, area-wide control of ticks”. Based on encouraging
preliminary evidence, we propose to adapt the polymeric microparticles to manufacture microporous
polymeric granules and fibers that can be formulated to release volatile repellents and toxicants. Formulated
granules would be used in landscape treatments to kill and repel ticks, and the fibers would be woven into
outerwear fabrics to protect humans from acquiring and being bitten by ticks. Candidate active ingredients are
nootkatone and 2-undecanone, which could be used alone or in combination with each other and/or
permethrin. The project will target two species, blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks, both of which are
important vectors of human disease, and will employ laboratory and field experimentation to explore and
develop both types of formulation into novel prototype products.
The proposed research and development would culminate in five potential outcomes: 1) a proprietary
polymeric microporous granular composition formulated with one or more repellent and/or toxic compounds,
2) a demonstration that the formulated granular composition is effective against immature and adult ticks, and
ready for scale-up, testing and development as a landscape-level tick preventive treatment, 3) fabric
incorporating proprietary polymeric microporous filaments formulated with one or more repellent and/or toxic
compounds, 4) demonstration that the fabric formulated with one or more repellent and/or toxic compounds is
effective against immature and adult ticks, 5) fabric formulated with one or more repellent and/or toxic
compounds manufactured into gaiters, and ready for technology transfer to commercial fabric production and
incorporation into multiple types of outerwear clothing.
As applicable, patent applications will be filed, the results published in peer-reviewed journals, and pathways
to operational implementation and commercialization will be identified and exploited.

Grant Number: 5R44AI172565-03
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Michael Banfield