According to this report, progress has been made in the development of "read-across" approaches to support the risk assessment of chemicals. The method, based on the evaluation of the chemicals' structural characteristics and bioactivity data from in vitro studies, aims to identify similar chemicals for which a risk assessment is already available. This should help to replace animal experiments, especially in long-term studies (repeated dose) and in developmental and reproductive toxicity studies. The obtained information will also be used to fill data gaps.

To promote the introduction of alternatives in basic and applied research, EURL ECVAM is currently conducting extensive reviews of animal-free models and methods in seven major disease areas. The seven areas are: respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer, immunogenicity, autoimmune diseases, and immunoncology. The results on the use of animal-free models and methods to study respiratory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases will be published in the coming months.

Initial results have shown that scientists are increasingly preferring advanced biotechnology technologies, including human 3D tissue cultures and microfluidic organ-on-chip devices.

EURL ECVAM has also expanded its activities in the field of education and training. In order to incorporate the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principles into school and university curricula, researchers have started to develop guidance, learning scenarios and teaching materials for decision-makers in educational organizations.

Click here for the ECVAM status report:
https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/science-update/innovation-collaboration-education-drive-progress-alternatives-animal-testinghttps://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/science-update/innovation-collaboration-education-drive-progress-alternatives-animal-testing