ecopa

In vitro models in (skin) sensitization: summer course July 3rd to 6th 2012

mardas — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:08:34 +0000

summer course July 3rd to 6th 2012, Utrecht, The Netherlands (Summercourse-Sensizitation Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th of July 2012)

The 7th meeting of the Immunotoxicology and Chemical Allergy Speciality Section ITCASS

mardas — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:00:13 +0000

ITCASS meeting 30th and 31st of August 2012
in Elsinore (Helsingør), Denmark (ITCASS meeting 2012 flyer ; ITCASS registration form 2012)

New AXLR8 Report: Alternative Testing Strategies – Progress Report 2011

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:46:54 +0000

The EU FP7-funded co-ordination project AXLR8 has announced the availability of the publication Alternative Testing Strategies: Progress Report 2011 & AXLR8-2 Workshop Report on ‘A Roadmap to Innovative Toxicity Testing’. The 2011 report includes:

An introduction to the AXLR8 project
An update on the activities and achievements of 3Rs-oriented projects funded under the health and environment themes of the 6th and 7th EU Research Framework Programmes during the year 2010
The AXLR8-2 workshop report, including contributions from workshop presenters and reports from break-out groups
AXLR8 Scientific Panel recommendations for future research and innovation funding
A directory of key projects and coordinators.

Given the substantial and increasing global investment in research aimed at developing new safety assessment methods and implementing the 3Rs in toxicology, there is a recognised need for better information exchange and transparency in this research area. AXLR8 provides the tools for effective real-time dialogue, information exchange, problem solving, and international cooperation.

The AXLR8 2011 Report is available for download from the AXLR8 website. A limited number of hard copies are also available by contacting the AXLR8 administration .

Final START-UP report now available

admin — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:35:45 +0000

The final report of the FP7-funded support action START-UP (Scientific and Technological Issues in 3Rs Alternatives Research in The Process of Drug Development and Union Politics) are now available. Developed on the initiative of ecopa and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel with collaboration from several NCPs, the aim of START-UP was to identify and make recommendations to abolish bottlenecks in the 3Rs approach in pharmaceutical discovery and development.

US FDA accepts cell-based potency test for Botox

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:36:04 +0000

California-based Allergan, Inc. has had its in-vitro, cell-based assay for testing the stability and potency of Botox and Botox cosmetic, approved by the FDA. Allergan has claimed that the use of the new assay will reduce the use of animal testing by up to an estimated 95 percent, over the course of the next three years, as it hopes to get more regulatory agencies around the world on board to approve this assay.

Cosmetics-Design Europe

HSUS press release

ECHA releases report on use of non-animal methods & testing strategies under REACH

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:00:19 +0000

The European Chemicals Agency has published two major reports on the working of REACH and CLP Regulations and on the implementation and use of non-animal test methods and testing strategies. Video interviews with ECHA senior personnel can also be viewed online.

Commission publishes stakeholder input on implementation date for animal-tested cosmetics marketing ban

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:33:25 +0000

The European Commission has published inputs received from stakeholders in response to its targeted consultation concerning the proposed 2013 implementation date for an EU marketing ban for cosmetics containing ingredients tested on animals.

Call for submissions for EPAA 3Rs communication prize

admin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:51:36 +0000

Deadline: 5 September 2011. EPAA is offering a €3000 prize for an essay or article that broadens awareness of the importance to promote alternative approaches in safety assessment and regulatory compliance testing. As this year the EPAA’s lead theme is ”Integrated Testing Strategies (ITS) and their impact on the implementation of the 3Rs” the focus of the article should be on ITS.

Read the full call for submissions

ecopa participates in new ECVAM Stakeholder Forum

admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:42:25 +0000

ecopa has been selected by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods to be represented on the newly constituted ECVAM Stakeholder Forum (ESTAF) by board member and 3Rs expert Troy Seidle. As announced in the January newsletter, ESTAF has been established to bring together ECVAM stakeholders who operate at EU-level to promote enhanced communication, engagement and transparency. Members of ESTAF include industry associations, research foundations, and civil society and non-governmental organisations. The first meeting of ESTAF took place on 27 May in Ispra, Italy. Updates from future ESTAF meetings will be disseminated via the ecopa website and quarterly newsletter.

May 2011 updates from carcinoGENOMICS, ESNATS and Sens-it-iv

admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:36:35 +0000

ecopa is dissemination partner in the EU 6th and 7th Framework Programme projects carcinoGENOMICS, ESNATS and Sens-it-iv. Brief updates from these projects are provided below.

At the 15 March board meeting it was confirmed that the carcinoGENOMICS project will be extended by an additional six months. As part of its dissemination strategy, the project has supported a 27-30 March scientific workshop co-organised by the British Toxicology Society and the Nederlandse Verening voor Toxicologie. More information is available through the carcinoGENOMICS website. A second capacity-building meeting is also envisioned; date to be determined. The next project board meeting is scheduled for June at the Brussels Airport.

This month the Embryonic Stem cell-based Novel Alternative Testing Strategies (ESNATS) project began its 4th year. The next ESNATS annual consortium meeting will be combined with a summer school; these are planned from 1-5 May near Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Sens-it-iv project officially terminated on 31 March 2011. During the last months, efforts were made to establish an e-learning programme supporting public access to the experimental knowledgebase on assays available within the Sens-it-iv toolbox. The e-learning prototype is available here. The Sens-it-iv consortium is hosting a congress marking the official closure of this EU FP6-funded project from 23-25 November at the Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport Hotel. The objective is to actively stimulate the transfer and implementation of knowledge acquired and of tools developed by the consortium in the areas of skin and respiratory sensitisation, through discussion, and a marketplace of innovation. A draft programme is available here.