Sunday, 16 July 2023 14:27

JRC and EPAA provide information on their designathon for systemic human toxicity Featured

The Joint Research Center of the European Union (JRC) and the European Partnership for Alternatives to Animal testing (EPAA) recently held an informational webinar on their designathon for the use of human-specific methods in systemic toxicity.


All motivated scientists are called upon to propose NAM-based solutions for the toxicity study target "human systemic toxicity". As many different teams as possible should contribute with their creative ideas. The goal is to develop a possible future classification system of chemicals. By "NAMs," JRC and EPAA mean "...a technology, methodology, approach, or a combination thereof that can be used to provide information on the assessment of chemical hazards and risks that avoid the use of intact animals."

Systemic toxicity is understood to include effects due to the absorption and distribution of a substance that affect not only a specific area of the body (local), but the entire body, i.e. including regions further away from the site of absorption. Usually, one or even two organs are more severely affected in systemic toxicity.

All types and combinations of NAMs can be used. Practical aspects such as cost and potential uses of NAMs are not considered at this stage because the initial goal is to identify useful toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic information and the rationale for its use. Existing data obtained from NAMs may also be considered, but data obtained in vivo, whether from humans or animals, are excluded.

Interested applicants can register their interest by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Participants will receive a chemical reference list and a report template.

Proposed solutions based on NAMs must be submitted via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 31 Dec 2023.

If applicants have additional questions, they can email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The NAM-based solution proposals will be discussed at a workshop in early 2024.

More information:
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/calls-expression-interest/epaa-launches-designathon-human-systemic-toxicity_en