Archive
kDPRA: An in chemico Method to Characterize the Skin Sensitization Potency of Chemicals
September 13, 2019While the skin sensitization hazard of substances can readily be identified using non-animal methods, the classification of potency into UN GHS sub-categories 1A and 1B remains challenging. The kinetic direct peptide reactivity assay (kDPRA) is a modification of the DPRA (OECD TG 442C) wherein the reaction kinetics of a test substance towards a synthetic cysteine-containing peptide is evaluated. For this purpose, several concentrations of the test substance are incubated with the synthetic peptide for several incubation times at 25°C. After...
See You at EUROTOX 2019!
August 15, 2019IIVS is excited about meeting attendees of the 55th EUROTOX conference! Please join us at booth #34 to meet our representatives who are looking forward to discussing trends and New Methodologies in Alternative Approaches (NAMs) to toxicological research, as well providing updates on services offered by our organization! Also, don’t miss our posters: The kinetic Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (kDPRA): An in chemico method to characterize the skin sensitization potency of chemicals (Poster Viewing 1) Increased Throughput and Cryopreservation of Precision-Cut Lung...
European Partnership Supports IIVS Training of Chinese Scientists in Non-animal Tests
May 9, 2019Gaithersburg, MD – May 8, 2019 – The Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc. (IIVS) has received a grant from the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) to support its annual training of Chinese scientists in non-animal testing methods. As part of the agreement, two scientists from BASF SE, a member of EPAA, will join IIVS to provide hands-on training in China for four non-animal approaches for skin sensitization. This training follows the recent announcement by China’s...
China’s Acceptance of Certain Non-Animal Testing Methods for the Regulation of Cosmetics
April 3, 2019Gaithersburg, MD – April 3, 2019 – The Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) applauds China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for their acceptance of certain non-animal (alternative) test methods for the regulation of cosmetics. In a notice issued on March 22, the NMPA drafted acceptance of nine test methods including: Direct Peptide Reaction Assay (DPRA) for Skin Sensitization (OECD TG 442C) Short Time Exposure Assay (STE) for eye irritation (OECD TG 491) These new regulations will go into effect January...
China’s NMPA Approves Two New In Vitro Methods For Regulating Cosmetics
March 22, 2019We are pleased to share that today China’s National Medical Products Association (NMPA) has approved new methods for the regulations of cosmetics. Among these are two in vitro methods: DPRA for skin sensitization and the Short Time Exposure (STE) assay for eye irritation. IIVS’ International Outreach Program introduced these methods during its training program with NMPA and we will continue to support their implementation in key laboratories....
Australian Bill Passed to End Animal Testing for Cosmetics
February 21, 2019Measures outlined in the Industrial Chemicals Bill 2017, passed by the Australian senate on 19 February, 2019, will apply to both imported and Australian produced chemicals for use as cosmetic ingredients. The commencement date is set for July 2020 although it is believed that the cosmetics industry will not need an entire year to implement changes to comply with the new law. Additionally, the bill includes funding for the development of alternative test methods. Read the full article....
ARE-Nrf2 Luciferase Keratinocyte Activation Test Method (OECD 442D)
October 18, 2018KeratinoSensTM is a cell-based reporter gene assay that models the second key event in the Adverse Outcome Pathway for Dermal Sensitization (keratinocyte activation). The assay measures the induction of a stably transfected luciferase gene under the control of the antioxidant response element (ARE) derived from the human AKR1C2 gene. Following the methodology described in OECD Test Guideline 497, KeratinoSens is an alternative to animal testing methods necessary for the purpose of hazard identification. In conjunction with other in vitro tests, the results of this assay...
China’s Compulsory Animal Testing for Cosmetics May Take More Than Five Years to Stop
October 17, 2018By Amanda Lim, Editor (Singapore) CosmeticsDesign-Asia.com Although China has made significant strides in moving away from animal testing, its challenges suggest it may take more than five years for the country to completely stop compulsory animal-testing for cosmetics, says Hedy He, regulatory analyst and editor of ChemLinked: "In the short term a total ban on animal testing is unlikely given the lack of testing infrastructure and technical capacity shortcomings of the industry." The Overarching Issue Among the many obstacles, the overarching one is the...
IIVS Collaborates with BASF and Givaudan to Validate a Non-animal Test for Regulatory Submissions
August 28, 2018GAITHERSBURG, MD –August 28– The Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), with an established track record in the validation of alternatives to animal testing, is teaming up with BASF and Givaudan to validate an improved skin sensitization reactivity method to address the needs of toxicologists and regulators. Scientists at BASF and Givaudan have developed the Kinetic Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (Kinetic DPRA), a non-animal test to predict allergic reactions in the skin known as sensitization. Three other non-animal sensitizer tests have...
Modernization of EPA “6-Pack” of Acute Toxicity Tests Continues
July 27, 2018The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) continues to drive significant efforts in the United States to modernize the battery of acute toxicity tests classically known as the “6-pack.” Learn More....