NCad and COVID-19

The NCad starts research into the effects of the research into COVID-19 on the transition to research without laboratory animals
The search for vaccines and medication for COVID-19 is under great (time) pressure. This may have effects on the use of laboratory animals and / or on innovations without laboratory animals. It is also unknown whether more or less laboratory animals are used for pathogenesis research. In other words, research into the usually step-by-step emergence, development and course of a condition or disease related to COVID-19.

In response to the NCad advisory letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in which it was proposed to stimulate animal testing-free research methods for the Covid-19 research policy, the Minister submitted two requests for advice to the NCad in October 2020.
First of all, research into the effects of the research into COVID-19 on the transition to innovation without laboratory animals.
Purpose of the minister: to provide an overview and insight into the use of laboratory animals and of non-animal innovations in worldwide research into vaccines and treatment methods for nCOVID-19. Based on this, map out the (possible) implications for the transition to innovation without laboratory animals (TPI) and formulate lessons for the future of TPI.
Secondly, to inventory the possibilities of parallel studies.
Intended goal of the Minister: to provide insight into which research domains and types of research using parallel studies can contribute to the validation of animal testing-free alternative models in the foreseeable future. Advising how the additional costs involved could be financed without this being at the expense of other research.

Approach
The NCad's approach is twofold. An interim report in March 2021 with preliminary insights, directions of thought and activities performed. A detailed advice will then follow in mid-December 2021. In addition to the specific elements from the request for advice, this also includes one or more case studies on the application of non-animal techniques.

Possible research questions:
• Which animal models have been used worldwide in the context of COVID-19 research? How has COVID-19 research affected the use of laboratory animals worldwide?
• Which alternative (animal testing-free) methods have been used worldwide in the context of COVID-19 research? With what effect?
• What changes have occurred in the (international adherence to) the prescribed procedures for vaccine and / or drug development?
• Based on the results of the above: what lessons or advice can be learned for the future of the transition to innovation without laboratory animals?

We will update this page when we have more information to share.