Alternatives Testing Strategies: Replacing, Reducing and Refining Use

Replace the need for animal experiments, reduce the number of animals required and refine techniques are the three concepts underlying the development of alternative testing strategies used in pharmaceutical discovery and development, and in safety assessment of chemicals. Research into alternative testing strategies formed part of the EUs Sixth Framework Program (2002-2006) and the purpose of this catalogue is to demonstrate the activities initiated over the duration of the program and the initial results generated. A particular focus of the work is the development of in vitro methods and on methods which can be validated to international standards, achieve approval of regulatory authorities and be adopted by industry.