The UK government has announced a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate the phase-out of animal testing, backed by £75 million in new funding and specific regulatory commitments. The strategy, developed with life sciences, business, and animal welfare organizations, aims to replace animal tests with advanced alternatives like organ-on-a-chip systems, AI, and 3D bioprinted tissues.
Key Highlights #
- £75 million funding to support new testing methods and regulatory approval pathways.
- End to regulatory testing on animals for skin/eye irritation and skin sensitisation by the end of 2026.
- By 2027, end botox strength tests on mice and use DNA-based lab methods for adventitious agent testing of human medicines.
- By 2030, reduce pharmacokinetic studies on dogs and non-human primates.
- Establishment of a preclinical translational models hub and UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (UKCVAM).
- £15.9 million committed to advance human in vitro models, including organ-on-a-chip systems.
Statements #
Nobody in our country of animal lovers wants to see suffering and our plan will support work to end animal testing wherever possible and roll out alternatives as soon as it is safe and effective to do so. — Science Minister Lord Vallance
This strategy sets a clear ambition towards eliminating animal use and supports increased access to the infrastructure, collaborations and resources required to facilitate the further development and uptake of non-animal methods. — Barney Reed, Science and Policy Manager, RSPCA
The new government strategy will help to speed up efforts to replace animal research and testing, while also recognising the continued need for high standards of animal welfare where alternative methods currently do not exist. — Dr Vicky Robinson, Chief Executive, NC3Rs
About the Organizations #
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is the UK government department responsible for science, research, and innovation policy. National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is a UK-based scientific organisation dedicated to replacing, refining, and reducing the use of animals in research. RSPCA is a UK animal welfare charity.
Learn More #
Animal testing to be phased out faster as UK unveils roadmap for alternative methods Replacing animals in science strategy