3R in preclinical research

1. The 3Rs principles are making a difference in preclinical research

2. Harnessing the potential of big data and artificial intelligence for the 3Rs in preclinical research

3. First steps taken towards data networking

4. Jointly tackling cultural change for the 3Rs using big data

5. What the experts say

Interpharma aims to promote the dialogue on data networking in the preclinical field and help to advance this important subject in Switzerland and in an international context.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael O. Hottiger

Dr. Julika Fitzi-Rathgen

Nathalie Stieger

Dr. Joachim Coenen

Hans Wyss

Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael O. Hottiger

Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at VSF/MNF, University of Zurich; President of the “Research for Life” association

How necessary is it to create platforms and collaborative ventures to make data from preclinical research, including research using animals, accessible and usable for researchers with the aim of making headway with the 3Rs?

Knowledge in the field of the 3Rs is largely based on findings from fundamental research, which are often not available or are not published in the fields of reduction and refinement. Things look significantly better with regard to replacement methods. To expedite the implementation of the 3Rs principles, it is therefore urgently necessary to collect data in all areas of the 3Rs. This would enable us to consolidate our knowledge and improve animal welfare, while simultaneously promoting scientific progress.

What is the likelihood of things happening in this field in Switzerland?

I think the prospects are very promising. For example, a project is currently underway at the University of Zurich to collect and use data in a structured manner. Well-structured data is crucial for developing meaningful artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. AI algorithms are already being used in fields such as toxicology. In the future, new algorithms could also enable animal owners and researchers to monitor the well-being of individual animals in a non-invasive way.

Who do you see in the role of provider/initiator of such a platform?

It would make sense for a national organisation to coordinate the collection, storage and availability of data in Switzerland. The national 3Rs Competence Centre should preferably take on a key role in designing the data infrastructure. Scientists, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, government organisations, supervisory authorities and non-profit organisations would have to work together to achieve this. This collaboration would be decisive for the success of this undertaking.

Dr. Julika Fitzi-Rathgen

Animal Experimentation Department & Veterinary Advice Centre, Swiss Animal Protection (SAP)

For many years, efforts to improve animal welfare have been directed towards pre-registering scientific work that is conducted using animal experiments. One major benefit would be that animal experiments would not need or be allowed to be repeated if they had not successfully delivered the required gains in knowledge. Conducting animal experiments twice or more for the same issues could be prevented, and much animal suffering could be avoided.

What is the likelihood of things happening in this field in Switzerland?

There is a basic consensus across all the institutions involved that there is a need for such platforms and that they should be implemented as soon as possible in a way that is meaningful and necessary for the 3Rs. I cannot say why progress is so slow, but there have been ideas and moves in this direction for a long time already.

Who do you see in the role of provider/initiator of such a platform?

It has to be essentially in the interests of researchers to implement the 3Rs as well and as quickly as possible – including the reduction in animal experiments that would doubtless progress with such platforms. I can also see opportunities for collaboration with the 3Rs Competence Centre to this end, and Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) would of course support such an initiative as best it could with its resources.

Nathalie Stieger

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Head of Government Affairs

Such collaboration has the potential to substantially further the 3Rs principles. The data made accessible in this way could help in the development of predictive computer-supported test models and other alternative test methods, with the aim of reducing dependency on animal experiments or avoiding them altogether.

What is the likelihood of things happening in this field in Switzerland?

At an EU level, such initiatives already exist. Last year, companies including Roche initiated a joint venture to publish data with the support of the EFPIA and the European Chemicals Agency. The database now contains information on 94 substances. Similar initiatives could also be supported and carried out in Switzerland.

Who do you see in the role of provider/initiator of such a platform?

The pharmaceutical industry took on a leading role in this project, since it owns physical-chemical and toxicological data on chemical substances that is no longer of any economic value for it. Nevertheless, the involvement of all the relevant players, such as government authorities and research bodies, is needed to exploit the potential of such platforms to the full.

Dr. Joachim Coenen

DVM, DABT Senior Expert Animal Science and Welfare SQ Corporate Animal Affairs Merck Group

Absolutely essential. It makes it possible to reuse and further develop existing data and models, simplifies the exchange of methods for improving animal welfare and promotes the development of alternative methods to replace animal experiments. Admittedly, some prerequisites are essential, such as standards, data protection, data communication and the availability of resources.

What is the likelihood of things happening in this field in Switzerland?

At the end of August, the Handelsblatt newspaper wrote: “Novartis leads the way in using AI in pharmaceutical research.” Roche is also using AI intensively. Research intensity, commitment to animal welfare and an acceptance of animal experiments make Swiss companies particularly suitable for developing AI.

Who do you see in the role of provider/initiator of such a platform?

I see the Swiss pharmaceutical companies playing a leading role, although the regulatory authorities will have to be involved too. The 3RCC would lend itself to the role of coordinator. Of course, such a project can only be successful if it is supported by scientists in various specialist areas of industry, academia and start-ups (e.g., Exscientia).

Hans Wyss

Director of the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office

Analysing data that is being used outside a research group can trigger scientific progress, thereby making headway with the 3Rs. This also relates explicitly to the publishing of findings from unsuccessful studies. We should seek to share data across platforms and in collaborative ventures for this purpose, to ensure the maximum knowledge is gained from all animal experiments.

What is the likelihood of things happening in this field in Switzerland?

Both researchers and the general public justifiably have a great interest in transparency in animal experiments. For this reason, the FSVO is examining how disclosure obligations (e.g., those relating to the purpose, protocols and findings of animal experiments) can be meaningfully expanded.

Who do you see in the role of provider/initiator of such a platform?

This undoubtedly depends on the requirements of the platform. If it requires data from industry, then industry is familiar with this data and is its legal owner. In this case, industrial consortia should develop and operate the platform with the involvement of the authorities.

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3R in preclinical research

5. What the experts say