Merck is actively participating in researching alternatives to animal testing. Our researchers are developing methods that can replace animal testing in certain experiments, such as in vitro tests or computer-based methods. They have received several awards for this in the past years:
2005: Gerhard Zbinden Eurotox Young Scientist Award (N. Zidek)
2006: Deutscher Forschungspreis für Alternativmethoden zum Ersatz oder Reduktion von Tierversuchen (German Research Prize for Alternative Methods to Replace or Reduce Animal Tests) (S. Simon, S. O. Müller)
2007: Hessischer Forschungspreis für Alternativmethoden zum Ersatz oder Reduktion von Tierversuchen (Hessian Research Prize for Alternative Methods to Replace or Reduce Animal Tests) (F. Busquet, T. Broschard)
2008: Eurotox Bo Holmstedt Young Scientist Award for Alternative Test Strategies according to the 3R Principles (J. Hrach)
2009: Gerhard Zbinden Eurotox Young Scientist Award (K. Böhme)
2010: IUTox Bo Holmstedt Award for Alternative Test Strategies according to the 3R Principles (B. Lauer)
In addition, Merck is a member of organizations such as the EPAA (European Partnership for Alternative Approaches), which aim to develop alternative methods. Via the Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI - German Chemical Industry Association) and the Verband der Forschenden Arzneimittelhersteller (VfA - German Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers), we support the SET Foundation, a German organization dedicated to finding and developing new alternatives and complementary methods to reduce animal testing.
