The International Cooperation on Alternative Test Methods (ICATM) was established in 2009 to promote consistent and enhanced voluntary international cooperation, collaboration, and communication among national validation organizations. The goals of ICATM are to:
This cooperation enables scientifically valid alternative methods or strategies to be more readily accepted worldwide for regulatory use.
ICATM includes member organizations (see sidebar) from the European Union, United States, Japan, Canada, and South Korea. Brazil and China began participating in ICATM in 2015 as observers, with plans to join as full members in 2016.
ICATM meetings take place several times a year and provide an opportunity for the five organizations to discuss activities in identified areas of cooperation. These regular interactions allow ICATM partners to develop good communications and working relationships in support of collaborative test method development. ICCVAM representatives participated in three ICATM coordination meetings in 2014 and 2015.
Toxicity Area | Test Method | Coordinating Organization |
---|---|---|
Acute toxicity | In vitro test method for evaluating human liver metabolism and toxicity | EURL ECVAM |
Immunotoxicity: allergic contact dermatitis | IL-8 luciferase skin sensitization assay | JaCVAM |
Immunotoxicity: allergic contact dermatitis | Vitrigel-SST method for identifying potential skin sensitizers | JaCVAM |
Ocular toxicity | Rabbit cornea derived cell line (SIRC-CVS) assay for identification of ocular irritants | JaCVAM |
Ocular toxicity | Vitrigel-EIT method for identifying potential eye irritants | JaCVAM |
Reproductive and developmental toxicity | Hand-1 luciferase assay for identification of substances with potential embryotoxicity | JaCVAM |