We welcome new group and urge it to make ending second species testing a priority
We are pleased to hear that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set up a working group dedicated to the development, acceptance and use of non-animal methods to improve information about how new drugs will work. The ‘Alternative Methods Working Group’ recently launched a dedicated webpage to highlight its priorities and share future developments.
One of the group’s objectives is to improve communication, research and training on new non-animal methods. Advanced methods such as cell-based tests and sophisticated computer models could help improve the safety and efficacy of drugs and bring them to market faster while also replacing and reducing the use of animals.
The working group also aims to engage with other US regulatory agencies and global partners to promote the development of new non-animal technologies and facilitate their acceptance.
Dr Katy Taylor, our Director of Science & Regulatory Affairs said: “We applaud the FDA’s efforts to prioritise the use and development of non-animal technologies to better predict human health while also reducing and replacing animal tests.
“We will be writing to the working group to offer suggestions for future work. One suggestion is to build on the recent UK NC3Rs report on opportunities to use one single species in drug development instead of two.”