European Health Data Space, EPAA Animal-free Chemical Safety Assessment, Future of Science Film, Hybrid generative AI and more
News on non-animal methods
MARCH 10 - 14, 2025NEWS, REPORTS & POSITION STATEMENTS
1. Regulation on the European Health Data Space
Recently published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), the regulation on the European Health Data Space will be applicable from 26 March 2027. Some provisions will have deferred applications as listed in Article 105 of the Regulation. With this Regulation, Europe’s digital health is considerably consolidated through the harmonization of a legal framework applicable to the primary and secondary uses of health data.
This means : New rights for patients over their data ; Facilitating the sharing of patient information between healthcare professionals ; and Legal framework for the Electronic Health Record (EHR) involving new obligations for systems/software and players in the sector.
2. Grant review process : Pilot study on predominance of animal-based expertise bias and implications for non-animal methodologies
Despite increased enthusiasm for research methods that can replace the use of animals, the numbers of animals used in science and the funding for animal-based projects remain high. A novel pilot study addressed whether a possible “animal methods bias,” a preference for or greater familiarity with animal-based methods, in the grant review process may be contributing to this problem. To assess such a question, the authors used the NIH’s iCite and RePORTER tools.
The data suggest that study sections assessing grants for basic, translational, and preclinical neuroscience research are largely composed of reviewers whose primary expertise is in animal-based methods. Animal use among reviewers positively correlated with the number of animal-based grants funded and negatively correlated with funding of non-animal research methods.
Read the article and recommendations on bioRxiv
3. EPAA Animal-free Chemical Safety Assessment Conference : need to get out of our safe space ?
From 4 – 6 March 2025, the EPAA held the Animal-Free Chemical Safety Assessment Conference in Brussels to help draft the European Commission’s Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for safety assessments, which will be published Q1 2026.
The event allowed, among others, updates on the 3 Working Groups for the Roadmap and on the chemicals NL/DE Test Method and Validation strategy. A better representation of different industry sectors was also noted. On this point, Hans Ketelslegers, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Penman Consulting, made an interesting post on the need for case studies, closer to “real life”.
Read post from Hans Ketelslegers
INTERVIEWS, NOMINATIONS & AWARDS
4. Future of Science Film : Immerse your students in the innovative world of animal-free research
In an inspiring series of films, Mimi Nwosu, a multiple awards winner ‑including the Rising Star in STEM award from the Women Leaders Association- and among the “Top 50 women in Engineering” by the Women’s Engineering Society in 2021, visits four cutting-edge laboratories, uncovering the innovative, humane techniques that are revolutionising the drug development process. Along the way, Mimi engages with leading scientists and their teams, showcasing unforgettable examples of human-relevant research that could shape the future of medicine and science.
The series of films, lesson plans and student activities, are presented as a valuable resource for science teachers looking to spark meaningful discussions on the future of ethical research.
TOOLS, PLATFORMS, CALLS
5. Course : Advanced In Vitro Models — Organoids meet organs-on-a-chip
The convergence of science, technology, legislation and extrapolation modelling in Utrecht is highlighted in a week-long course on Advanced in vitro models (AIM).
AIM is a multidisciplinary field that holds much promise for generating innovative technologies for a wide variety of tissues and disorders. This programme, directed by Dr. Silvia Mihăilă & Dr. Kerstin Schneeberger, consists of meeting experts, hands-on bench work, modelling and demonstrations. It allows for a high amount of interaction among lecturers, keynote speakers and fellow participants.
Read more about the course and apply
BIOTECHS, INDUSTRY, PARTNERSHIPS
6. Organovo’s FXR Program to Be Acquired by Eli Lilly and Company
Organovo Holdings, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel treatment approaches in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) announced that Eli Lilly and Company will acquire Organovo’s FXR program, including its lead asset, FXR314.
“This is a significant milestone for our efforts to advance medicines for IBD using insights from our proprietary 3D human tissue models,” said Keith Murphy, Executive Chairman. “We are excited to deliver FXR314 and our FXR program to Lilly for Phase 2 and further development. Their world-class development excellence and dedication to delivering for patients will provide an excellent pathway for FXR314 success, and we are pleased to have this opportunity to deliver for patients.”
SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES & PROTOCOLS
7. A hybrid generative AI designs new molecules
Protein design is a rapidly evolving field of research owing to the possibilities offered by AI, with the possibility of designing new proteins and enzymes with direct applications in health and the environment. Researchers in mathematics at INRAE (The French National Institute of Agricultural Research) have developed an AI combining learning and reasoning.
This hybrid AI is thus capable of designing proteins according to rules learned through deep learning, but also derived from physics or made explicit by designers. Results that contribute to the range of protein design methods, presented in Nature Reviews Methods Primers.
8. New cerebral organoid model : Inflammatory responses revealed through HIV infection of microglia-containing CO
Cerebral organoids (COs) are valuable tools for studying the intricate interplay between glial cells and neurons in brain development and disease, including HIV-associated neuroinflammation. Narasipura et al. developed a novel approach to generate microglia containing COs (CO-iMs) by co-culturing hematopoietic progenitors and inducing pluripotent stem cells.
This approach allowed for the differentiation of microglia within the organoids concomitantly with the neuronal progenitors. CO-iMs presented substantially increased expression of microglial homeostatic and sensome markers as well as markers for the complement cascade. CO-iMs are susceptible to HIV infection, resulting in a significant increase in several pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, which are abrogated by the addition of antiretrovirals. Thus, CO-iM is a robust model for deciphering neuropathogenesis, neuroinflammation, and viral infections of brain cells in a 3D culture system.
Read the publication in the Journal of Neuroinflammation
