UK: Coalition Launches Initiative to Advance Non-Animal Technologies in Veterinary Science

Four of the UK’s leading research institutions have joined forces in a landmark collaboration to reduce reliance on animal testing in veterinary medicine. The Pirbright Institute, the Moredun Research Institute, the Roslin Institute, and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have united to develop and validate advanced laboratory-based models for studying animal diseases. Supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), this initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of Non-Animal Technologies (NATs) in line with the 3Rs principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. The collaboration will focus on developing complex multicellular models, such as organoids and co-cultures, which mimic host-pathogen interactions more accurately than traditional cell cultures. Researchers will prioritize creating reliable in vitro tools for key veterinary species, including cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, and fish. Dr Wilhelm Gerner of The Pirbright Institute highlighted that a central challenge is not just generating these models, but fully characterizing them to ensure they reliably represent immune features. By ensuring these new models are robust enough to replace in vivo studies, the partnership represents a significant step toward a future where veterinary research can effectively combat infectious diseases while minimizing animal use, according to the collaborating institutions.