Investigators who currently use animal models and wish to transition selected components of their work to a New Approach Methodology (NAM) can use our Project Transformation service.
Animal models remain complex in vivo biological systems that can provide essential physiological, pathological, and translational insights that many NAMs cannot yet fully reproduce. However, not every experimental objective currently addressed with an animal model requires the full complexity of an intact organism. In some cases, specific endpoints, mechanisms, screening steps, or decision points may be addressed using a well-designed, fit-for-purpose NAM. When appropriate, this approach can reduce, refine, or replace animal use while preserving the scientific relevance, reliability, and interpretability of the results.
Our Project Transformation service helps investigators evaluate the feasibility of converting selected applications of an existing animal-model workflow into a NAM-based approach. This may include identifying which components of the current in vivo study are most amenable to NAM implementation, assessing whether an existing NAM can address the relevant biological question, or helping design a new NAM informed by the structure, endpoints, and use case of the current animal model.
Because our team has deep expertise in animal-based disease modeling, we understand both the strengths and limitations of in vivo systems. This allows us to identify where NAMs may be used appropriately as complementary, confirmatory, screening, mechanistic, or replacement tools, depending on the specific research question and context of use. When experimental studies are required, they are designed with appropriate controls, predefined endpoints, randomization, blinding, and other rigor-enhancing practices to support reproducibility and confidence in the findings.
All study data are owned exclusively by the requesting investigator, preserving control over study design specifications, experimental results, and proprietary information. The resulting data package can provide critical evidence to determine the extent to which a new or existing NAM can complement, model, or recapitulate defined components of the original in vivo system.
Questions about transforming an animal-model workflow into a NAM-based approach? Contact us.
