Why Use Alternative Testing Strategies
It is inevitable that there will be occasions where the existing dataset is not sufficient to allow for a robust hazard characterisation and risk assessment, while at other times, a request from a regulator may leave no alternative but to commission additional work. In some sectors like cosmetics, tests on animals are prohibited and so alternative methods are required to ensure a product or compound is safe for use. Whatever the context, we can offer advice on a testing programme, from protocol to the final report.
How We Work
Bibra is a team of expert, desk-based toxicologists, but we have developed good open and honest relationships with a network of testing laboratories and contract research organisations. When new testing is unavoidable, this allows us to ensure we contact the best people and deliver on your particular needs.
Alternatives to Animal Testing
Commissioning laboratory animal studies should always be the last resort. As experts in a variety of alternatives to animal testing, our team work to understand your unique requirements and make recommendations on the best possible toxicological assessment strategy.
We can support you with a wide range of testing methodologies across different industries and use cases, including:
Read-Across
This alternative testing strategy uses data on structurally similar compounds to evaluate a substance that has not been tested adequately. The team at bibra are experts in this area, and this strategy can help remove the need for new vertebrate animal tests while still ensuring a substance is safe.
In Vitro Testing
This testing strategy evaluates the safety of a chemical compound using cultured cells or tissues. Validated in vitro test methods exist for several toxicological effects, including skin and eye irritation, skin sensitisation and genotoxicity.
In Silico Predictions
In silico analysis can offer a more cost-effective and faster approach to testing compounds compared to animal and other toxicity testing strategies. This approach uses computer modelling to predict toxicological characteristics of untested chemicals, using existing knowledge on other compounds. It is commonly used to predict chemical reactivity and assess the safety of compounds for human use, and can be particularly beneficial in the pharmaceutical industry where there can be large numbers of compounds to assess at once.
