LivFul Innovation has developed an insect repellant that offers protection against malaria a disease that kills almost 600,000 people each yet – and has set up a base in Liverpool city region. Tony McDonough reports

A venture that has developed an insect repellant offering protection against malaria has set up a full operation at Sci-Tech Daresbury, Liverpool city region’s science and innovation campus.

LivFul Innovation is a global organisation which has created Staytec, a patented insect repellent that offers 14 hours of protection and 100% reduction in malaria cases.

According to the World Health Organisation, mosquitos kill 597,000 people each year, more than any other animal on earth. Africa accounts for 95% of global deaths from malaria with children under five making up 76% of all fatalities.

These are figures that founder of LivFul, Hogan Bassey, found deeply disturbing and as a child growing up in Nigeria and suffering himself from regular debilitating malarial infections, he set out to do something about it.

Working with scientists from around the world over more than two decades, he developed the technology behind Staytec, a non-toxic, insect repellent which is designed to combine a slow release application with reduced skin penetration.

This ensures better coverage for longer and which in tests has been proven to protect against mosquito bites for up to 14 hours. 

LivFul is on a mission to reduce malaria deaths across the world. The firm already had lab space at Sci-Tech Daresbury and now it has expanded at The Innovation Centre where its 10-strong team now occupies more than 1,000 sq ft of office and lab accommodation.

Its expansion announcement coincided with World Malaria Day, which took place a few days ago. Chief operating officer John Manwell said: “World Malaria Day offers the opportunity for LivFul Innovation to highlight the work it is doing to eradicate this killer disease.

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It is bringing its innovative repellent to the people who need it the most, whilst choosing to grow the business out of the North West. We are looking forward to seeing what the next chapter brings.”

This is the third recent letting at The Innovation Centre. Last week LBN reported that a company specialising in drone simulations and a training firm had both set up bases at the 24,000 sq ft facility.