Funds to develop alternative solutions to animal testing

The European Commission and the cosmetic industry match research funds to develop alternative solutions to animal testing.

On 30 July 2009, the European Commission launched a €25 million call for proposals in this field and the European cosmetic industry, represented by the European Cosmetics Association (Colipa), committed to match the funds. As a result, up to €50 million will be allocated to research projects laying the scientific foundation for future safety testing methods with a higher predictive value, and that will be faster and cheaper than animal tests.

With this call, the European Commission is seeking proposals for research projects involving a wide range of scientific partners across Europe and focusing on the following topics:

- development of organ-simulating devices;
- use of human-based target cells;
- definition of new toxicological endpoints and intermediate markers
- computational modelling techniques
- exploitation of approaches developed in systems biology; and
- integrated data analysis and scientific services.

Through the co-operation between the European Commission and Colipa, the projects selected can be funded up to 100% of their total eligible costs.

More information can be found in the related Europa press release of 31 Aug 09.