Report 2025

3Rs research (refinement studies)

Based on the revised Article 137d of the Animal Welfare Ordinance (AniWO), which expressly permits the targeted use of animals for 3Rs research, researchers and animal welfare officers from a member company have initiated a joint project. The aim of the project is to systematically identify, implement and provide scientific support for internal refinement projects.

The focus is on evidence-based research and validation of refinement measures in the areas of husbandry, enrichment and experimental procedures. Impact reduction should not be based on assumptions, but rather reliable scientific data. The findings are directly integrated into preclinical development.

With this approach, the member company is deliberately going above and beyond the minimum legal requirements. Data-based optimization of animal welfare reduces stress while improving the quality and validity of studies, thus making an indirect but significant contribution to making the development of new medicines for patients more efficient.

Project name: 3Rs research (refinement studies)
Charter articles: 1, 2, 5, 8