VICT3R

📢 VICT3R: Advancing the EC’s Roadmap for Alternative Methods for Safety Assessments   We’re excited to share key takeaways from our participation in the 2nd European Commission Conference on the Roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments, held in Brussels on Friday, 25th October. It was encouraging to see VICT3R’s progress recognized as a meaningful step forward in delivering on the European Commission’s (EC) vision for reducing animal testing and integrating New Approach Methods into safety testing. Our work directly supports the EC’s ambitious roadmap, which aims to replace, reduce, and refine animal testing (the 3Rs) across a range of chemical safety regulations, including REACH and biocides.   The EC’s roadmap is groundbreaking, involving multiple stages of action—from developing non-animal testing methods to prioritizing acceptance and regulatory adoption across the EU. At VICT3R, we’re contributing to these milestones by developing Virtual Control Groups (VCGs) that leverage AI, statistics and historical data to reduce animal usage in toxicity testing by up to 25%, aligning perfectly with the roadmap’s ambitious goals.   During the conference, VICT3R representatives established valuable connections with regulators, agencies and animal protection associations critical to furthering these goals. We are encouraged by the Commission’s commitment to foster data sharing and collaboration across Member States, laying the groundwork for a unified approach to alternative methods.   These conversations mark a key step in translating scientific innovation into impactful regulatory shifts. Together, we’re supporting the EC’s roadmap objectives, committed to a more ethical and sustainable future in safety assessments.   👉 vict3r.eu   #VICT3R #Innovation #Toxicology #ResearchEthics #AnimalWelfare Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)

Today the European Commission gathers together stakeholders (around 170 in the room and 500 expected online) for their 2nd workshop on the Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments. The pharmaceutical industry is pleased to attend and will provide insights into ongoing initiatives: -             Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) project @VICT3R, -             panel discussion International Test Guidelines, Validation, Qualification and Standardisation -             Kerstin Kleinschmidt-Doerr will inform on the industry driven actions towards the transition Medicines developers are required to demonstrate that potential new and commercialised medicines, therapeutics and vaccines are effective and safe in humans, relying on many different technologies to support the most appropriate testing strategies, which include in vitro assays, in silico methods and at a late stage, animals in preclinical development. We are however committed to the science-based phase-in of methods to replace the use of animals for scientific purposes and the deletion of animal tests that are nowadays identified to be obsolete or redundant, but still required through some regulatory bodies. EFPIA reports on putting animal welfare principles and the 3Rs:: https://lnkd.in/eT2wGsJM and https://lnkd.in/ejxxtQUF. In parallel, EFPIA is supporting the creation of the European roadmap to reduce reliance on animal testing in the pharmaceutical industry. While there is no single replacement for animal testing, and various tests are required by legislation, we want to work together with all the stakeholders involved and drive forward phasing out animal testing where scientifically feasible. For the roadmap to be ambitious yet practical, it must be based on comprehensive information about the current situation based on scientific, available solutions, and ongoing developments keeping human safety as a priority. To this end, we are engaging our members to sort the animal testing into three categories: Basket 1: Animal testing for which alternative technologies to replace current animal testing already exist from a scientific perspective. Basket 2: Such animal testing purposes for which there are no technologically mature or validated alternatives or for which there is no scientific proof non-animal methods can replace animal tests, but for which there are already concrete ideas and hypotheses as to which alternative methods could be developed to replace them. Basket 3. Animal tests for which there is still no concept or hypothesis as to how non-animal methods could replace them and where we do not yet have a method to provide safe and effective medicines without animal testing. Here the science still needs to be more developed EFPIA - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations #MorethanMedicine #3Rs

📢 Exciting News: VICT3R Showcased at the 2nd Commission Conference on Phasing Out Animal Testing! We’re proud to announce that VICT3R is presented today at the 2nd Commission Conference on the Roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments held in Brussels. Hosted by the European Commission, this event brings together leading experts with the aim to accelerate the shift toward animal-free safety assessments, guided by the 3Rs – Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. 🔬 The Commission’s 3Rs Roadmap is a game-changer, aligning European legislation (like REACH) with the latest in ethical and scientific innovations for accelerating the path towards replacing, reducing and refining animal testing for the safety assessments of chemicals. Global collaboration and data sharing are central to this effort, promoting the mutual acceptance of alternative methods across borders. 💊 VICT3R is thrilled to be contributing to this movement! Supported by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), we’re developing Virtual Control Groups (VCGs) powered by AI, advanced stats, and vast historical animal data to cut animal use in toxicity studies by up to 25% and thus offer a smarter, more ethical alternative. 📃 Today, VICT3R Coordinator Ferran Sanz (Pompeu Fabra University) and Industry Lead Thomas Steger-Hartmann (Bayer AG) are presenting our groundbreaking work, showing how our VCGs align with the Commission’s vision for a future of reduced animal testing in safety assessments. Join us on our journey as we continue to drive innovation in advancing alternative methods and support the European Commission’s vision for a more ethical and sustainable future in safety assessments. 👉 vict3r.eu #VICT3R #Innovation #Toxicology #ResearchEthics #AnimalWelfare

The largest TV station in Catalonia, 3Cat Corporatiu, featured the VICT3R project in a segment and article (available in both Spanish and Catalan). The coverage included the participation of Manuel Pastor, Ferran Sanz and Davide Cirillo. 📽 Video https://lnkd.in/dGqRjwaf 📝 Article https://lnkd.in/deJzdJ6Z PharmacoInformatics PhI Barcelona Supercomputing Center #Innovation #Toxicology #ResearchEthics #AnimalWelfare #VICT3R

Today is #WorldAnimalDay 🐾 🔬 For decades, animal models have been used for research in medicine, safety testing, and scientific understanding. The VICT3R project aims to drastically reduce the use of animals in toxicology research. The #3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) offers a path toward more ethical research by reducing the need for animal models. While progress has been steady, the development of Non-Animal Methodologies (NAMs) and innovative technologies such as #artificialintelligence (AI) and other data analytics approaches are accelerating the shift away from animal use in key areas of research.   🖥 One promising strategy is the creation of Virtual Control Groups (VCGs), which can drastically reduce the need for live control animals by leveraging historical data by means of data science. These #AI and statistics-driven virtual models can help ensure accurate and reproducible results without the need for as many animals in testing, particularly in areas like toxicology. This represents a significant step toward a more balanced approach to research—one that prioritizes scientific advancement while reducing the dependence on animal models.   Our initiative, supported by the European Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), highlights the potential of NAMs to transform research practices. By working towards regulatory acceptance of VCGs and other innovative tools, projects like VICT3R are paving the way for a future where research can meet the highest scientific and ethical standards.   On this #WorldAnimalDay, we are reminded of the importance of supporting efforts that advance both scientific innovation and responsible research practices. By embracing the 3Rs and continuing to invest in cutting-edge technologies, we can help ensure that future research is more ethical and sustainable. 👉 vict3r.eu #Innovation #Toxicology #ResearchEthics #AnimalWelfare #VICT3R

👏 The VICT3R project kicked off with an inspiring meeting in Barcelona on 26-27 September 2024! With over 70 attendees in person and more than 50 joining online, the enthusiasm and commitment to this transformative project were palpable. From the outset, participants engaged in meaningful discussions and brought forward exciting proposals, setting a positive and proactive tone for the project's journey ahead. What made this meeting stand out was the active involvement of consortium members even before the event. Instead of the usual approach where the kick-off meeting covers initial overviews, VICT3R partners were ready with concrete preliminary results and ideas on how to tackle the work – a testament to the passion behind our mission to reduce animal testing through Virtual Control Groups (VCGs). 💡 Key moments from the meeting include: - A strong focus on avoiding "WP silos." We took a cross-WP approach with joint sessions designed to foster collaboration and alignment across data sharing and curation, AI models and statistics, computer system validation, and other essential areas. - Lively discussions on how best to involve regulatory bodies from the project start, ensuring that VCG methodologies align with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards and can be accepted in nonclinical safety assessments. 🎯 We were also delighted to have representatives from the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) join us, providing valuable input on how VICT3R aligns with IHI’s overarching goals. The collaborative spirit during the Kick-off Meeting was truly energizing. A heartfelt thank you to all the partners and participants for your enthusiasm, hard work, and commitment. We look forward to continuing this exciting journey together! COCIR EFPIA - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations EuropaBio - the European Association for Bioindustries MedTech Europe Vaccines Europe Instem GRIB Barcelona PharmacoInformatics PhI SYNAPSE Research Management Partners Fraunhofer ITEM grit42 Technische Universität Dortmund PHUSE MedBioinformatics Data Analytics & Visualization Group, BSC-CNS Universität Konstanz Deciphex Organon SRL Syncwork Ag Vrije Universiteit Brussel Bayer Merck Healthcare Amgen AstraZeneca BASF Boehringer Ingelheim Bristol Myers Squibb Incyte Ipsen The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson Novartis Novo Nordisk Orion Corporation Pfizer Roche Sanofi TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL GMBH GLATTPARK CH UCB AbbVie

The VICT3R project is dedicated to reducing animal use in toxicology research, and it aligns with the 3Rs principles: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. "Data reuse and data sharing, as well as the application of AI approaches, engender great opportunities for implementing the 3R principles in the use of animals in preclinical research." - Ferran Sanz (Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona) , Project Coordinator of VICT3R. More information: 👉 vict3r.eu #Innovation #Toxicology #AI #ResearchEthics #AnimalWelfare #VICT3R

📢 Exciting News! 🚀 We’re thrilled to announce the launch of VICT3R, a transformative collaboration bringing together 33 partner organizations across academia and industry under the European Innovative Health Initiative (IHI). 🔍 VICT3R is pioneering the use of Virtual Control Groups (VCGs) to reduce animal use in toxicology research, marking a significant step forward in ethical and innovative drug and chemical safety evaluation. By leveraging advanced AI and statistics and decades of historical data, our mission is to replace concurrent control groups with virtual ones, aiming for regulatory acceptance and improved safety assessment methods. 💊 This project will not only enhance the ethical standards of research but also drive innovation in toxicology and safety evaluation. We look forward to contributing to a more humane and scientifically robust future. 🌍 Visit our website to follow our journey over the next 42 months as we transform toxicology research: vict3r.eu 👉 Join the conversation and stay tuned for more updates. Together, we're setting new benchmarks in research ethics and precision science! A huge thank you to all our partners and supporters for making this possible! #Innovation #Toxicology #AI #ResearchEthics #AnimalWelfare #VICT3R This project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No 101172693. The JU receives support from the European Commission Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and COCIR, EFPIA - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, EuropaBio - the European Association for Bioindustries, MedTech Europe, and Vaccines Europe and Instem