AXLR8 Strategic Directions for Development of Alternatives in the EU

AxlR8 is a coordination and support action funded by the european Commission Directorate General for Research & Innovation under the Health theme of the 7th Framework Program (FP7) within the funding framework on Alternative Testing Strategies: Replacing, reducing and refining use of animals in research. AXLR8 is aimed specifically at accelerating a transition in europe toward a more sophisticated approach to chemical and product safety assessment, with the common goals of improved health and environmental protection, positioning the eU on the leading-edge of a rapidly developing global research area, and working toward replacement of animal testing. An essential element of the AxlR8 project is the organization of annual workshops to provide a scientific platform for high-level information exchange and critical discourse among coordinators of eU-funded projects and independent european and international scientists on progress achieved in developing alternative testing strategies, as well as challenges, needs, and priorities for future eU research. the second annual AxlR8 workshop (AxlR8-2), held in Berlin, Germany on May 22-25, 2011, focused on developing a “roadmap to innovative toxicity testing.” the 50-some invited participants included representatives of projects funded by the FP6/7 Health and environment programs, the heads of Member State centers on alternatives to animal testing, the leaders of international efforts to establish advanced molecular toxicology from the United States and Japan, and members of the AxlR8 Scientific Panel and Consortium. The workshop began with a public satellite meeting that provided an overview of current eU and global research efforts, such as the joint initiative between DG Research & Innovation and the european Cosmetics Industry Association (COlIPA), aimed at “replacement of in vivo repeated dose systemic toxicity testing” with the longAXLR8 Strategic Directions for Development of Alternatives in the EU Horst Spielmann 1, Troy Seidle 2, Greet Schoeters 3, Vivian Kral 1, Monika Schäfer-Korting 1, Emily McIvor 2, and Andrew Rowan 2 1Institute for Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; 2the Humane Society International, london, UK; 3CARDAM, VItO, Mol, Belgium