European Association Supports Production of Training Videos for Non-Animal Tests

GAITHERSBURG, Md. and BRUSSELS, Nov. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) has partnered with US based Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) to produce a series of training videos on non-animal testing methods for the safety evaluation of products and ingredients. The first video in the series focuses on the Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability assay - a replacement for the Draize eye irritation test that utilizes live rabbits.

"Videos can be an effective and efficient means to provide training to an international audience. Filmed entirely in our laboratory using our highly proficient biologists, the 13 minute video provides an accurate demonstration of the Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability assay for eye irritation," states Erin Hill, Vice President and Co-founder of IIVS. "We are grateful that EPAA has funded this project which will help scientists throughout the world to adopt replacements for animal testing."

The series will focus on non-animal methods which have Test Guidelines developed by the international harmonizing body, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).    

The next video to be produced will highlight the 3T3 Phototoxicity Assay. Dr. Tzutzuy Ramirez, EPAA's 2014 industry co-chair and Gwenole Cozigou, EPAA Commission co-chair commented, "One of EPAA's primary goals is to pool knowledge and resources to facilitate the acceptance of alternative approaches to animal testing. Working with IIVS on this project is an example of combining resources to achieve a common goal at an international level."

The first completed video, with English subtitles, is freely available on the EPAA website. Subtitled versions in Chinese and Portuguese will be available by the end of the year. 

About EPAA:  
EPAA is an unprecedented voluntary collaboration between the European Commission, European trade associations, and companies from seven industry sectors. The vision of EPAA is the replacement, reduction and refinement (3Rs) of animal use for meeting regulatory requirements through better and more predictive science. Learn more at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/epaa/

About IIVS:
The Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc. is a non-profit research and testing laboratory dedicated to the advancement of in vitro (non-animal) methods worldwide. Founded in 1997, IIVS has worked with industry and government agencies to implement in vitro testing strategies that limit animal use while supplying key information for product safety and efficacy decisions. Learn more at www.iivs.org

SOURCE Institute for In Vitro Sciences

Related Links

http://www.iivs.org