India’s pre-clinical contract research organisations (CROs) like Bioneeds, Advinus Therapeutics, Syngene and Jai Research Foundation are now looking at non-animal tests like the in-vitro analysis and even considering the advanced computer modelling techniques which are far more reliable to deliver human-relevant results in a day, unlike some animal tests that require a few weeks.

With the prohibition of the animal testing by the Union government and the revision of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945 inserting a new rule after 148-B with 148-C to forbid animal testing for cosmetics, research institutes like the IISc, NCBS and JNCASR point out that globally sophisticated computer models which accurately predict drug reactions, techniques like the 3-dimensional human cell derived skin model, quantitative structure activity relationships (QSARs) help to replace the use of guinea pigs or mice generating accurate allergic response data.

The departments of pharmacology in international universities have preferred the computerised human-patient simulators to indicate the adverse drug reactions. India with its scientific prowess and research capability could easily adopt the same, stated IISc, NCBS and JNCASR.

Bengaluru-based Bioneeds India, an OECD GLP Certified Pre-Clinical CRO, has already adhered to the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) SCCS/1297/10 issued on 8 December, 2009 which mandates use of validated alternative methods in toxicological testing. These are Local Lymph node assay, NRU Photo toxicity, Bovine Corneal Opacity Study (BCOP), Dermal percutaneous absorption study (rHES), Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (DPRA) and In vitro dermal irritation study (Epiderm).

“We anticipated this some time back following the EU directives and finally the Indian government has also taken a stand to implement and passing the message to the global regulators that; India is on par with the ‘Be Cruelty-Free Campaign’. Our scientific personnel are armed with the know-how for in-vitro tests and have pioneered in standardizing and implementing the same. In fact, we are one among the premier CROs in the country to comply with global regulatory guidelines of the European Commission’s SCCS which is still in the preliminary stage of implementation in India,” Dr. SN Vinaya Babu, managing director & chief executive officer, Bioneeds India Private Limited, told Pharmabiz.

However, it would have been better if this decision to ban animal studies for cosmetics becomes a global mandate. India, China and South East Asia are seen as hubs by the US and European Union for pre-clinical research. With the revival of the global economy, there would be a number of opportunities for companies in the region. Therefore adherence to SCCS norms are the need of the hour to grab some of the potential business opportunities, said Dr Babu.