April 2017

Major Global Cosmetics Firms are Selling Products Tested on Animals in China

April 25, 2017
When entrepreneur Phoebe Song launched her organic, vegan skincare line, she had big plans to sell around the world, including in China, the world's largest consumer market. But she stopped cold after learning that the Chinese government mandated animal testing for imported cosmetics and skincare products. Read more....

IIVS Attends Congress on Alternative Methods in Guangzhou China

April 21, 2017
IIVS President, Erin Hill, and scientist, Quanshun Zhang attended the Congress on Alternative Methods in Guangzhou China. Dr. Zhang presented on the newly adopted 3T3 Phototoxicity Assay. ...

IIVS Celebrates 20th Anniversary, New Website, Expanded Laboratory Space

April 21, 2017
GAITHERSBURG, MD – January 27, 2017 – The Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) is proud to announce its 20th anniversary as an international leader in the in vitro (non-animal) testing field. Founded in 1997, IIVS is unique in its position as a high quality testing laboratory while also offering technical and educational resources to increase the use and acceptance of non-animal methods.  The Institute is commemorating its anniversary with a new website and the opening of a respiratory toxicology...

Toxicity Testing: Read Between the Lines

April 13, 2017
Skin toxicity testing  was the focus of a full-day seminar held during In-Cosmetics 2017. Attendees learned about everything from skin absorption and metabolism, to cytotoxicity, phototoxicity and sensitization. IIVS Study Director, Dr. Tinashe Ruwona, presented on integrated testing strategies to evaluate the skin sensitization potential of cosmetics. However, the biggest take-away from the seminar seemed to rest on how well the results of a study are understood. Read the full article.  ...

IIVS Attends In-Cosmetics Global

April 4, 2017
IIVS President, Erin Hill, and Study Director, Tinashe Ruwona are attending the In-Cosmetics Global meeting, April 4-6, in London.  Dr. Ruwona, who leads our skin sensitization screening program, presented during the Skin Toxicology Workshop. His presentation,  "Integrated Testing Strategies for Assessing the Skin Sensitization Potential of Cosmetics",  Dr. Ruwona explores the various test methods and how best to combine them to ensure consumer safety.  Read more....

Using In Vitro Assays, the Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (DPRA), KeratinoSens™ Assay (KS), and Human Cell Line Activation Test (h-CLAT) to Assess Skin Sensitization Potential of Electronic Cigarette Liquids

April 4, 2017
Three regulatory accepted in vitro assays were evaluated in a proof-of-concept project to determine skin sensitization potential of electronic cigarette liquids (eliquids). These assays measure molecular initiating events and initial cellular responses prescribed in the OECD Integrated Testing Strategy (ITS) describing key events in the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) leading to skin sensitization....