The Dutch National Growth Fund will invest €124,5 million in a new centre for animal-free biomedical testing. hDMT will contribute as partner to this exciting and timely initiative. Of this investment, 55 million euros are awarded directly and 69.5 million euros are granted subject to conditions. Known as the Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation, its aim is to generate safer, more effective treatments, while reducing animal suffering.
The Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation (CPBT) will use this funding from the National Growth Funds (NGF) to accelerate the transition to animal-free biomedical innovations. This will offer economic and social benefits with improved medicines and less animal testing.
After an initial application by the CPBT in the third round of the National Growth Fund led to a reservation of 124,5 million euros, an adapted proposal was submitted in January 2024. This proposal has now been positively assessed and the funds awarded.
Safe and affordable medicines
The formation of the CPBT comes as great progress is being made in the development of non-animal testing methods and their accreditation and qualification. Academia, industry, regulators, patient organisations, govenment and NGOs are increasingly working together to obtain more accurate and cost-effective medicines.
Despite these positive moves towards more cross-sector collaboration, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the results obtained from animal experiments can be limited and ineffective. In most biomedical development pathways, it is only during in-human studies that it becomes apparent that the animal experiments conducted were unable to predict therapeutic effects in humans.
New centre for revolutionary change
Together with a large number of national and international partners, the CPBT will establish a centre for the development and dissemination of animal-free biomedical innovations and expertise. In the first instance, it will focus on ALS, cystic fibrosis, osteoarthritis/rheumatic diseases and asthma/COPD. The CPBT will implement the developed methods, tools and expertise together with researchers and companies. The new centre will also offer education, training, advice, and support to enhance the acceptance and use of animal-free biomedical innovations. Combined, the CPBT will run an integrated program that accelerates the transition to animal-free testing and strengthens the earning capacity of the Netherlands.
Read more: Utrecht University
