June 2017
New In Vitro Respiratory Laboratory, Marking 20 Years of Innovation in Non-Animal Testing
June 13, 2017GAITHERSBURG, MD – June 13, 2017 – The Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), a leader in non-animal test methods, marked its 20th year with the opening of a new state-of-the-art in vitro respiratory exposure laboratory. The 1,000 square foot facility expands IIVS’ non-animal testing services to include rapid evaluation of potential respiratory hazards associated with novel ingredients and chemistries used in fragrances, personal care products, household and institutional cleaning products, and a wide range of traditional and emerging tobacco...
Read the Latest Issue of IIVS e-News
June 13, 2017Read the latest issue of our e-newsletter for an update on our new respiratory toxicology laboratory and an article by IIVS Study Director, Dr. G. Emilia Costin, on testing strategies for evaluating the potential of ingredients and products to modulate skin color. View issue....
Alternatives to Animal Testing Widely Used
June 1, 2017ECHA’s third report on the use of alternative methods under REACH shows that most registrants consider and use alternatives to animal testing. One effective way is data sharing: 98 % of the substances are registered jointly. Registrants also make extensive use of existing information and alternative methods before conducting new studies. Read more....
Major Global Cosmetics Firms are Selling Products Tested on Animals in China
April 25, 2017When 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, 2017IIVS 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, 2017GAITHERSBURG, 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, 2017Skin 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, 2017IIVS 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, 2017Three 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....
Assessment of In Vitro COPD Models for Tobacco Regulatory Science: Workshop Proceedings, Conclusions and Paths Forward for In Vitro Model Use
March 30, 2017On 8-10 December 2014, IIVS organised a workshop conference, entitled Assessment of In Vitro COPD Models for Tobacco Regulatory Science, to bring together stakeholders representing regulatory agencies, academia, industry and animal protection, to address the research priorities articulated by the FDA-CTP. Specific topics were covered to assess the status of current Assessment of In Vitro COPD Models for Tobacco Regulatory Science technologies as they are applied to understanding the adverse pulmonary events resulting from tobacco product exposure, and in particular,...