Archive
Evaluation of TRPV1 Activity to Assess the Eye Stinging Potential of Cosmetic Formulations
October 17, 2019The Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptor is one of the most well characterized pain-inducing receptors and has been recently identified as a valuable tool to predict eye stinging potential of surfactant based formulations. In this study we sought to predict eye stinging of nonsurfactant based cosmetic formulations by studying TRPV1 activity using the NociOcular assay. In the NociOcular assay, TRPV1 expressing neuroblastoma cells are exposed to test substance and TRPV1 activity is measured by acute increases in...
PETA Science Group Donates $50,000 in Equipment to IIVS
October 11, 2019Gaithersburg, Md. — Animals don't have to suffer for your cosmetics, cleaners, pesticides, or drugs. The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. is donating $50,000 in equipment to the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), a nonprofit laboratory in Gaithersburg that conducts and develops animal-free test methods. IIVS will use the VITROCELL® Cloud inhalation exposure system — instead of animals — to assess the effects of substances on the human respiratory tract. Manufactured by German-based VITROCELL Systems, the Cloud system mimics realistic...
IIVS Receives Support for Non-Animal Testing From RIFM
September 9, 2019September 10, 2019, Gaithersburg, MD – The Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc. (IIVS) is excited to announce that it has received a grant from the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) to support its mission to promote non-animal methods. The grant will be used to purchase equipment that will enable IIVS to expand capabilities and offer several non-animal tests in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices. “RIFM and IIVS have a long history of working together to identify non-animal testing approaches...
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...
Creation of Italian Working Group on Alternative Methods
June 18, 2019The Italian Health Ministry recently announced the creation of a working group for the promotion of alternative methods. Experts on alternative methods, along with stakeholders, will meet monthly and update the health minister every six months. The group has been tasked with a number of responsibilities, including ensuring the proper implementation of the 2013 EU ban on animal testing for cosmetics and the correct use — and adequate funding — of alternative methods. More Information: Centro3R Italian Health Ministry Press Release (in...
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...
Colombia and Canada Move Toward Animal Testing Ban
April 18, 2019The past seven days saw both Colombia and Canada make strides towards banning animal testing for cosmetics. In Colombia, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill to prohibit the use of animals in testing for both cosmetics and personal care products. The bill will now move to the Senate for a vote. If approved there, the law would come in to affect within a year of the vote. A promising first step was taken in Canada where a bill advocating for...
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...
Illinois’ Senate Bans Sale of Cosmetics Tested on Animals
March 28, 2019The Illinois state Senate has passed a bill which would amend the state's Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act to include a ban on the sale or import of cosmetics that have been tested on animals. Overall, the bill is in line with the California Act which is currently the most stringent law within the U.S. The Illinois bill is now being considered by the state's House of Representatives....
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....