Nootkatone for Insecticide and Repellent Development

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CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases and Technology Transfer Office staff have transferred technology that employs a naturally-derived substance for controlling arthropod pests, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. The active ingredient, nootkatone, is found in Alaska yellow cedar trees (also known as the Nootka cypress), some herbs, and citrus fruits. Biologists in CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases have found nootkatone to be an effective repellent and insecticide for use against ticks and mosquitoes. Ticks and mosquitoes spread bacteria and viruses that can make people sick (for example, Lyme disease, West Nile virus disease).

Nootkatone appears to work differently compared to currently available insecticides and may be a valuable new option for fighting the growing problem of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. It can be used both as a repellent on human skin or clothing to prevent bites and as an outdoor insecticide to kill insects and ticks. To expand available insect and tick repellent options, nootkatone could be formulated for use in soaps, sprays, and lotions.

This technology transfer, completed with our partners at the National Institutes of Health, addresses a complex problem. Virtually everyone on earth is vulnerable to diseases from viruses and bacteria transmitted to people through tick, mosquito, and flea bites. West Nile virus disease, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are among the most well-known vector-borne diseases in the United States. Dengue, a major health problem, infects as many as 400 million worldwide each year. Increasing global travel, urbanization, and environmental changes are contributing to vector-borne disease outbreaks in new regions and countries. Vector-borne diseases can be difficult to prevent and control, particularly since vaccines are available for only a few.

CDC’s initial technology transfer included three U.S. and key international patents. The technology transfer efforts included multiple agreements that ultimately resulted in an exclusive license with a commercial partner, Evolva (www.evolva.com). Additionally, CDC has also had Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with Evolva dating back as far as 2017 with the goal of maximizing public benefit from this active ingredient. CDC and Evolva now co-own additional patents, relating to tick bite prevention, detachment of biting ticks, and killing of ticks in the environment. CDC has worked with Evolva to evaluate various nootkatone formulations for preventing mosquito and tick bites.

On July 20, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced registration of nootkatone for manufacturing use into insecticides and repellents. This registration paved the way for manufacturers to develop nootkatone-based products for consumers to buy, including insect and tick repellents. CDC, Evolva, and HHS Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority played a pivotal role in the discovery, applied research, and EPA registration of this compound. CDC and Evolva are currently working on the development of new nootkatone formulations and applications in the area of tick bite prevention. Learn more about this new active ingredient for developing insecticides and insect and tick repellents.

Public health research “takes a village” requiring the input and collaborative effort of partners to achieve success. These patented technologies will be further developed and commercialized to help control arthropod pests and prevent transmission of pathogens spread by ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.