U.S. Strategic Roadmap published

ICCVAM has coordinated the development of “A Strategic Roadmap for Establishing New Approaches to Evaluate the Safety of Chemicals and Medical Products in the United States.” It describes a framework for safety testing that will provide more human-relevant toxicology data while reducing the use of animals. Prepared with support from NICEATM, it was published January 30 and is available at https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/natl-strategy.
Discussions among ICCVAM and its stakeholders over the last several years established that a national strategy is needed to ensure the safe, effective, and timely implementation of human-relevant predictive approaches in toxicity testing in the United States. In response, ICCVAM coordinated the development of this document during 2017 with participation from the 16 ICCVAM member agencies and multiple interagency workgroups, as well as input from a broad range of stakeholder groups. The strategic roadmap describes a new framework that will enable development, establish confidence in, and ensure use of new approaches to toxicity testing that improve human health relevance and reduce or eliminate the need for testing in animals.
Activities to implement the strategic roadmap goals are already underway. ICCVAM workgroups will develop detailed implementation plans to address roadmap goals, tailored to specific toxicological endpoints of concern. An overview of roadmap implementation is described at https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/838279, including links to summaries of planned activities in the areas of acute systemic toxicity, skin and eye irritation, and skin sensitization.
ICCVAM and NICEATM are developing a communication plan to broaden awareness of and invite engagement with the strategic roadmap. The first public discussion of the strategic roadmap with stakeholders will take place on Monday, March 12, at an ICCVAM exhibitor-hosted session at the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting. Other opportunities for stakeholders to engage in advancement of the roadmap goals will be available at the ICCVAM Public Forum on May 24 and public events throughout 2018.

(NICEAM News)