The future of research in focus at scientific seminar

Yesterday, 24 September, Project 1882 attended the seminar New Approach Methodologies in Research and Drug Development, organised by the Swedish 3Rs Center. The presentations during the day were given by Swedish researchers working with New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) across a range of research areas and applications in drug development.

Project 1882 welcomes the research and development of NAMs that can replace animals in experiments but believes that much greater priority must be given to this area. Every animal experiment that can be replaced is an important step forward, both for animals and for research, says Anna Perutka, animals in science specialist at Project 1882.

Methods based on human biology

Presentations were given by researchers from Linköping University, Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca also presented its work with methods that can replace animal experiments.

Human muscle cell systems, organs-on-chips and multicellular organoids are examples of NAMs presented during the seminar. These methods have been tested in areas including cancer research and autoimmune diseases. At the end of the seminar, a panel discussion was held on how research into NAMs can be promoted in Europe.

At the same time, the seminar showed that much more focus could be placed on the actual phasing out of animal experiments, with developing new methods which do not include the use of animals or animal derived materials, concludes Anna Perutka.

Political priorities for the transition to animal-free research

With a new government in place, it is time for renewed efforts towards animal-free research. Project 1882 wants to see three clear measures:

• a significant increase in investment in research into and validation of animal-free methods.

• restored and strengthened funding for Sweden’s 3Rs center.

• a clear Swedish strategy to implement and contribute to the EU’s roadmap.

What are NAMs?

New Approach Methodologies, often abbreviated to NAMs, is a broad term for new methods and techniques in areas such as research, testing and drug development. These methods can help to replace the use of animals whilst providing knowledge that is more directly relevant to humans.

What do the 3Rs mean?

The 3Rs stand for ‘replace, reduce and refine’ – replacing, reducing and refining animal testing. The 3Rs are used internationally to develop alternatives to animal testing and to improve the welfare of animals used in experiments. Sweden’s 3Rs Center at the Swedish Board of Agriculture works to promote these methods and help reduce the use of animal testing in Sweden.