Acute Toxicity Workshop

Alternative Approaches for Identifying Acute Systemic Toxicity: Moving from Research to Regulatory Testing

September 24-25, 2015
Porter Neuroscience Research Center
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Acute systemic toxicity tests are the most commonly performed type of safety test worldwide. At this workshop, over 60 representatives from regulatory agencies, academia and industry discussed the state of the science of alternatives to animal use for acute systemic toxicity testing and explored ways to facilitate their implementation.

Workshop attendees identified several resources as necessary for meaningful progress in identifying and implementing alternatives: high quality reference data, training on use and interpretation of computational approaches, and global harmonization of testing requirements. Attendees particularly noted the need to characterize variability in reference data being used to evaluate new approaches. NTP and NICEATM scientists plan to take a lead role in coordinating data collection from a number of sources identified during the workshop.

Workshop breakout groups explored different approaches to reducing or replacing animal use for acute toxicity testing, with each group crafting a roadmap and strategy for accomplishing this within a three-year timeframe. NICEATM will coordinate the creation of and provide support for a working group comprised of workshop participants that will be charged with implementing the strategies.

This workshop was cosponsored by NICEATM, the PETA International Science Consortium Ltd., and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Workshop Presentations