GAITHERSBURG, MD, BRUSSELS, BE – 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 a good 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.
Media Contact: Erin Hill – ehill@iivs.org