According to statistics on animals used for scientific purposes in EU Member States and Norway, the majority of animals are used in basic and applied research in the fields of human and veterinary medicines.These EURL ECVAM studies were carried out to facilitate and potentially accelerate the transition to non-animal approaches by understanding and sharing information on successful use-cases of alternative models in biomedical research.AimThe aim was to identify which non-animal models, such as in vitro methods based on human cells and engineered tissues, or in silico approaches using computer modelling and simulation, have been used to replace, reduce or complement animal experiments in biomedical research. The reviews also shed light on how non-animal models are being used to enhance research findings. Studies reviewing advanced non-animal models in biomedical researchRespiratory tract diseasesA total of 284 publications were identified as the most representative and innovative models according to a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria.Breast cancerAround 120,000 peer-reviewed publications were retrieved and screened for innovative and promising advanced non-animal models of breast cancer.Neurodegenerative diseasesWe created an inventory of 567 models, ranging from biochemical and computational approaches to different types of cell cultures and procedures using ex vivo human material.Immuno-oncology542 scientific peer-reviewed articles were selected for a deeper analysis of the non-animal models used.Immunogenicity testing for advanced therapy medicinal products88 advanced non-animal models were selected as being promising for testing immunogenicity of ATMPs.Cardiovascular diseasesWe identified 449 publications as candidate advanced non-animal models used for cardiovascular disease research.Autoimmune diseasesA total of 183 advanced non-animal models were identified and then described in the field of autoimmune diseases. Biomedical models Hub (BimmoH) The Biomedical models Hub (BimmoH) is the largest public database of scientific articles making use of human biology-based models used in biomedical research, such as organ-on-a-chip technologies, 3D cell cultures, and computational models, aimed at facilitating more human-relevant research. This dataset is a milestone in the EU’s push for more human-centric science, aligning with the strategy for European life sciences, which emphasises innovation in biotechnology while reducing animal testing. Biomedical models HubDownload complete dataset from the JRC data catalogue Background Encouraging the uptake of alternative methods to animal models is important to tackle the considerable reliance on animal experiments for carrying out research.Since alternative methods offer the promise of recapitulating human physiology more effectively than many animal models, shifting to new animal-free methodologies and research strategies can actually enhance the understanding of human-specific biology and disease.
Respiratory tract diseasesA total of 284 publications were identified as the most representative and innovative models according to a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Breast cancerAround 120,000 peer-reviewed publications were retrieved and screened for innovative and promising advanced non-animal models of breast cancer.
Neurodegenerative diseasesWe created an inventory of 567 models, ranging from biochemical and computational approaches to different types of cell cultures and procedures using ex vivo human material.
Immuno-oncology542 scientific peer-reviewed articles were selected for a deeper analysis of the non-animal models used.
Immunogenicity testing for advanced therapy medicinal products88 advanced non-animal models were selected as being promising for testing immunogenicity of ATMPs.
Cardiovascular diseasesWe identified 449 publications as candidate advanced non-animal models used for cardiovascular disease research.
Autoimmune diseasesA total of 183 advanced non-animal models were identified and then described in the field of autoimmune diseases.
The Biomedical models Hub (BimmoH) is the largest public database of scientific articles making use of human biology-based models used in biomedical research, such as organ-on-a-chip technologies, 3D cell cultures, and computational models, aimed at facilitating more human-relevant research. This dataset is a milestone in the EU’s push for more human-centric science, aligning with the strategy for European life sciences, which emphasises innovation in biotechnology while reducing animal testing. Biomedical models HubDownload complete dataset from the JRC data catalogue
