Towards human-centred biomedical research
Environment — di Redazione
Accelerating innovative non-animal methods in biomedical and preclinical research requires a cultural transformation.
Towards human-centred biomedical research
Accelerating innovative non-animal methods in biomedical and preclinical research requires a cultural transformation.
By HSI Italia
Despite considerable advances in biomedical research, many common diseases – including cardiovascular, oncological, metabolic and neurodegenerative conditions, along with mental disorders – continue to represent a significant public health challenge. Recent data show that in Europe, diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and cancer are together responsible for approximately 54 per cent of all deaths. Furthermore, the emergence of new infectious diseases and the increasingly critical threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will demand timely and coordinated responses from researchers, policymakers and institutions.
The heavy reliance on traditional models, such as animal models and simplified experimental systems that are not representative of human biology and physiology, has demonstrated limited transferability to human clinical contexts. This is reflected, for example, in the high failure rates in drug development for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's, with success rates often below ten per cent.
The need for a paradigm shift
In recent years, the biomedical research landscape has been undergoing a radical transformation, with growing momentum towards human-centred approaches. These include advanced methodologies such as microphysiological systems (MPS), in silico (computational) technologies, and other innovative methodological approaches (known as New approach methodologies or Non-animal methods, NAM), which are more representative of human biology.
Animal testing is obsolete, unreliable and hinders medical progress because it relies on non-human biology.👎
We must embrace 21st century biomedical research and human-specific methods that actually benefit human health! 🧪🧫🧬
#BioMed21 #ScienceWithoutSuffering
We must embrace 21st century biomedical research and human-specific methods that actually benefit human health! 🧪🧫🧬
#BioMed21 #ScienceWithoutSuffering
The European Commission has recently proposed an action within the European Research Area (ERA) to promote the use of such approaches, underscoring a clear commitment to research that is more relevant to human health. A further step forward has been taken in the Netherlands, with the approval of €124.5 million in funding for the establishment of the "Centre for animal-free biomedical translation" at the University of Utrecht. Meanwhile, the United States has launched the "Complement-Arie" initiative, a ten-year, $400 million programme aimed at accelerating the development of Non-animal methods.
These examples represent concrete signals of a paradigm shift. However, to ensure that this transition translates into a real impact on public health, several fundamental questions must be addressed.
- How can we ensure that these new approaches have translational relevance – that is, that they allow the generation of data useful for creating new pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, therapies, diagnostics, or public health measures that are genuinely effective for human beings?
- What infrastructure is needed to support the adoption of innovative technologies?
- How can we ensure that funded research has a measurable and tangible impact on society and public health?
Replacing research animals with tools that better mimic human biology could improve medicine trib.al/ezGaSgB
The role of the Biomed21 collaboration
These themes were at the heart of the workshop organised in Brussels on 18 November 2024 by the Biomedical research for the 21st century (Biomed21) collaboration. The event brought together researchers, representatives of government institutions, scientific organisations and other stakeholders to discuss strategies and priorities aimed at improving the impact of biomedical research on human health. The main objectives of the workshop included:
- identifying unmet medical needs (UMN) in the medical and healthcare fields that could benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration;
- analysing the value of innovative methodologies and their integration into research;
- promoting educational initiatives aimed at training a new generation of researchers skilled in human-species-focused methods.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of standardising these new technologies, and the crucial role of scientific journals in disseminating studies with translational impact.
Towards more inclusive, health-oriented research
The discussions that emerged during the workshop highlighted the need for transformative policies that foster science-driven research focused on human health. An important step will be the creation of a consensus report, based on the workshop's findings, that includes strategic recommendations to guide the implementation of the Horizon Europe research and innovation funding programme and the definition of the next framework programme, FP10.
Ultimately, the future of biomedical research will increasingly depend on our ability to embrace innovative approaches, supported by multidisciplinary collaborative strategies capable of tackling global challenges with scientifically advanced and socially responsible tools.
However, to truly accelerate the integration of non-animal methods in biomedical and preclinical research, a cultural transformation is needed. A shift in mindset and methodology is required — one that embraces advanced, ethical, and human-relevant scientific approaches. This change is not merely about adopting new techniques, but about redefining our values, standards and frames of reference to reflect a forward-looking, scientifically sound, and human-centred vision.
In summary, improving the translation and impact of research means overcoming the bottlenecks between science and its practical implementation, using strategic approaches that ensure research findings are relevant, applicable and oriented towards the wellbeing of the community.
This transformation represents a unique opportunity to align scientific innovation with ethical progress, redefining the principles and objectives of research in order to maximise its impact on public health and global wellbeing. It is a call to change that goes beyond technical procedures, demanding a radical rethinking of the priorities and aspirations of the scientific community.